Which enzyme hydrolyzes GTP into GDP and Pi?

Which enzyme hydrolyzes GTP into GDP and Pi?

• A. Kinase
• B. GTPase
• C. Phosphatase
• D. Ligase

Answer: (B)

The enzyme that hydrolyzes GTP into GDP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) is GTPase. GTPases belong to a large family of enzymes that play crucial roles in cellular signaling processes. They catalyze the hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to guanosine diphosphate (GDP), releasing a phosphate group in the process. This reaction is vital for controlling various cellular functions, including signal transduction pathways and protein synthesis, as the transition between GTP-bound active state and GDP-bound inactive state regulates the activity of GTPase proteins. In contrast, kinases are enzymes that typically transfer a phosphate group from ATP to a substrate, while phosphatases remove phosphate groups from molecules. Ligases, on the other hand, are enzymes that facilitate the joining of two substrates, often forming a new chemical bond. Understanding the specific role of GTPases is important for grasping the mechanics of molecular signaling and regulation in biological systems.

The enzyme that hydrolyzes GTP into GDP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) is GTPase. GTPases belong to a large family of enzymes that play crucial roles in cellular signaling processes. They catalyze the hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to guanosine diphosphate (GDP), releasing a phosphate group in the process. This reaction is vital for controlling various cellular functions, including signal transduction pathways and protein synthesis, as the transition between GTP-bound active state and GDP-bound inactive state regulates the activity of GTPase proteins.

In contrast, kinases are enzymes that typically transfer a phosphate group from ATP to a substrate, while phosphatases remove phosphate groups from molecules. Ligases, on the other hand, are enzymes that facilitate the joining of two substrates, often forming a new chemical bond. Understanding the specific role of GTPases is important for grasping the mechanics of molecular signaling and regulation in biological systems.