phosphorylate
/fɑsˈfɔrəleɪt/
verb
- To add a phosphate group to a molecule, especially a protein or sugar, often to activate or change its function.
- Scientists can phosphorylate a molecule in the lab to study its behavior.
- The enzyme will phosphorylate glucose to trap it inside the cell.
- Cells phosphorylate proteins to turn on certain signaling pathways.
Synonyms