What is the process called when a kinase phosphorylates itself?

The process in which a kinase phosphorylates itself is known as autophosphorylation. This mechanism serves several important roles in cellular signaling. When a kinase enzyme adds a phosphate group to itself, it often leads to a change in its activity or function, which can activate or inhibit its enzymatic action. Autophosphorylation is common in receptor kinases, where the binding of a ligand to the receptor triggers the kinase domain to phosphorylate itself, thereby leading to a cascade of downstream signaling events within the cell.

In contrast, transphosphorylation involves the transfer of phosphate groups from one kinase to another, while phosphorylation transfer generally refers to the broader concept of moving phosphate groups from one molecule to another, which can include self-phosphorylation. Dephosphorylation, on the other hand, is the removal of phosphate groups, counteracting the action of phosphorylation.