Abstract
Multicellular organisms have three well-characterized subfamilies of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that control a vast array of physiological processes. These enzymes are regulated by a characteristic phosphorelay system in which a series of three protein kinases phosphorylate and activate one another. The extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) function in the control of cell division, and inhibitors of these enzymes are being explored as anticancer agents. The c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNKs) are critical regulators of transcription, and JNK inhibitors may be effective in control of rheumatoid arthritis. The p38 MAPKs are activated by inflammatory cytokines and environmental stresses and may contribute to diseases like asthma and autoimmunity.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Apoptosis
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Cell Division
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Cytokines / metabolism
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Enzyme Activation
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Humans
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MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / metabolism
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MAP Kinase Signaling System*
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 10
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 9
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
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Neoplasms / enzymology
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Neoplasms / pathology
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Phosphorylation
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Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
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Transcription, Genetic
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p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
Substances
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Cytokines
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 10
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 9
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Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
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p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
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MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases