What Are the Functions of Human Choline Kinase?

All living organisms are made up of one or more cells. A cell membrane surrounds the cytoplasm of each individual cell. Cell membranes are made up of different phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholine. Human choline kinase plays an important role in the formation of phosphatidylcholine.

What is a Kinase?

• An enzyme is a molecule that catalyzes a chemical reaction. A kinase is a specific type of enzyme that adds a phosphate group to another molecule.

What is ATP?

• Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a molecule that stores energy for use throughout the cell. ATP can be thought of as the energy currency of the cell.

Function of Human Choline Kinase

• Human choline kinase uses a molecule of ATP to add a phosphate group to choline. This results in the formation of a phosphocholine and ADP.

Why is Phosphocholine Important?

• Phosphocholine can be used to make phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylcholine is a lipid that frequently is incorporated into cell membranes.

Phosphocholine and Cancer

• There is evidence that phosphocholine may be elevated in certain cancer cells.