Final answer:
Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is synthesized from ATP by adenylyl cyclase and serves as an essential second messenger in cells. It is degraded into AMP by cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, terminating the signaling cascade.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is a crucial second messenger in cellular signaling pathways. It is synthesized from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by an enzyme called adenylyl cyclase. The process of cAMP synthesis is initiated when hormones or other signaling molecules bind to cell surface receptors, leading to the activation of adenylyl cyclase, which then converts ATP into cAMP. This cAMP can bind to and activate cAMP-dependent kinase (A-kinase), which regulates various metabolic pathways through the phosphorylation of target proteins.
The degradation of cAMP is carried out by cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes the cyclic bond within cAMP, resulting in the production of AMP (adenosine monophosphate). This process serves as the termination mechanism for the signaling cascade initiated by cAMP, ensuring that the cellular response is appropriately regulated and short-lived as needed.