Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase)

Author: V. Dimov, M.D., Allergist/Immunologist and Assistant Professor at University of Chicago
Reviewer: S. Randhawa, M.D., Allergist/Immunologist and Assistant Professor at LSU (Shreveport) Department of Allergy and Immunology

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are serine/threonine-specific protein kinases that respond to extracellular stimuli (mitogens) and regulate various cellular activities, such as gene expression, mitosis, differentiation, and cell survival/apoptosis.

Extracellular stimuli lead to activation of a MAP kinase via a signaling cascade ("MAPK cascade") composed of MAP kinase, MAP kinase kinase (MKK, MEKK, or MAP2K), and MAP kinase kinase kinase (MKKK or MAP3K). This MAP kinase signaling cascade has been evolutionarily well-conserved from yeast to mammals.


The mitogen activated protein kinase pathway (MAP kinase pathway) is a key signaling pathway by which the cell responds to external stimuli. This video is from: Janeway's Immunobiology, 7th Edition Murphy, Travers, & Walport. Source: Garland Science.

References

Mitogen-activated protein kinase. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Published: 07/07/2008
Updated: 06/14/2009