The Mechanism of Action of Brain Cyclic AMP-dependent Protein Kinase: Structure of Active Site, Mechanism of Dissociation of the Holoenzyme, and Possible Biological Role of Its Subunits

In recent years great attention has been devoted to the investigation of the biological role of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases. Intensive studies have been carried out on the effect of cyclic nucleotides and protein phosphorylation on the processes of proliferation and differentiation of cells. In this connection the role of protein kinases in transcription, biosynthesis of proteins, and regulation of various enzymes is being currently investigated. In this paper some new data on the mechanism of action of cAMP-dependent pig brain protein kinase are presented and the biological role of phosphorylation in the cell cycle is discussed.