What is the main function of kinases in protein modification?

The main function of kinases in protein modification is to phosphorylate specific proteins. Kinases are enzymes that transfer phosphate groups from high-energy donor molecules, typically ATP, to specific amino acids in target proteins. This process is known as phosphorylation and plays a crucial role in regulating various cellular functions, including signal transduction, cell cycle progression, and metabolic pathways.

Phosphorylation can alter a protein’s activity, its interactions with other proteins, or its location within the cell, thus impacting the overall functionality of the protein and thereby influencing cellular responses to external signals. This makes kinases essential for many physiological processes and signaling pathways.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the primary role of kinases. For instance, decarboxylating proteins refers to the removal of carboxyl groups, which is not a function of kinases. Binding DNA sequences is typically associated with transcription factors or other DNA-binding proteins rather than kinases. Hydrolyzing proteins involves breaking down protein structures, often carried out by proteases, which is also unrelated to the function of kinases.