Creatine kinase
Creatine Kinase
Creatine kinase (pronounced: kree-uh-teen ky-nase), also known as phosphocreatine kinase or CK, is an enzyme found in various tissues and cell types of the body, including the muscle and the brain. It catalyzes the conversion of creatine and utilizes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to create phosphocreatine and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). This CK enzyme reaction is reversible and thus ATP can be generated from phosphocreatine and ADP.
Etymology
The term "creatine kinase" is derived from the compound creatine, discovered in 1832 by French scientist Michel Eugène Chevreul. He named it after the Greek word "kreas" (κρέας), meaning "flesh", due to its discovery in muscle tissue. The term "kinase" is derived from the Greek word "kinesis" (κίνησις), meaning "movement", which refers to the enzyme's ability to catalyze the transfer of phosphate groups.
Function
Creatine kinase plays a crucial role in energy production in tissues with high, fluctuating energy demands like the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. It helps maintain the balance of ATP/ADP ratio in cells, acting as an energy buffer. The enzyme also has a role in cellular stress response and apoptosis.
Clinical Significance
Elevated levels of creatine kinase in the blood can indicate damage to tissues rich in this enzyme, such as muscle or brain. It is often used as a diagnostic marker for conditions like myocardial infarction (heart attack), muscular dystrophy, and rhabdomyolysis.
Related Terms
- Enzyme: A protein that acts as a biological catalyst to speed up chemical reactions in cells.
- ATP: Adenosine triphosphate, the main source of energy for most cellular processes.
- ADP: Adenosine diphosphate, a product of ATP dephosphorylation, which can be converted back to ATP.
- Myocardial infarction: Commonly known as a heart attack, it occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Creatine kinase
- Wikipedia's article - Creatine kinase
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