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An enzyme that adds phosphate groups to another molecule. Many of the key regulatory proteins in the control of gene expression are targets of kinases. The addition of a phosphate group to a protein by a kinase can alter the activity of the protein and are often used as molecular on/off switches. For example, the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene is 'off' when phosphate groups are added to the protein at specific locations. Removal of the phosphate groups turns the protein 'on'. Enzymes that remove phosphate groups are known as phosphatases. Note that all enzymes, regardless of function, end in ASE

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