It's a switch that from outside can be used to change the life of a cell.

这种来自外源的变化能够改变细胞的状态

耶鲁公开课 - 生物医学工程探索课程节选

One way that you could switch this on and off inside the cell is by taking off this phosphorous, proteins enzymes that do this opposite reaction, the opposite to kinases are called phosphokinases.

一种方法是通过去除磷酸基团,来改变细胞内蛋白的状态,催化添加磷酸基团,此逆反应的蛋白酶,能够催化逆反应的激酶叫做磷酸激酶

耶鲁公开课 - 生物医学工程探索课程节选

In 2002 MIT professors started a not-for-profit called BioBricks that has collected 2, 000 biological components, including gene sequences that sense light, produce light, send messages between cells and switch cell functions on and off.

FORBES: Architect of Life

He has shown a strong interest in turning the island into a giant laboratory when the switch to fuel cell vehicles begins in earnest 10 to 15 years from now, as well as in testing the safety of hydrogen gas stations, the long-term reliability of cars and the economic viability of fuel cells.

FORBES: Mister Natural

That protein is a switch that tells a cell to self-destruct.

FORBES: Magazine Article