PKA activation

PKA activation involves a chain of events inside cells triggered by signaling molecules called hormones or neurotransmitters. When these signals bind to receptors on the cell surface, they activate a molecule called adenylate cyclase, which increases levels of a secondary messenger called cyclic AMP (cAMP). Elevated cAMP then binds to and activates Protein Kinase A (PKA), an enzyme that adds phosphate groups to specific proteins. This modification alters the proteins' activity, leading to various cellular responses such as gene expression, metabolism changes, or other functional adjustments, thus helping the cell respond appropriately to external signals.