ADENYLYL CYCLASE

Adenylate cyclase (also known as adenylyl cyclase, adenyl cyclase or AC) is part of the G protein signalling cascade, which transmits chemical signals from outside the cell across the membrane to the inside of the cell (cytoplasm).

The outside signal binds to a receptor, which transmits a signal to the G protein, which transmits a signal to adenylate cyclase, which transmits a signal by converting adenosine triphosphate to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP is known as a second messenger.