Extracellular signal–regulated kinases

In molecular biology, extracellular signal–regulated kinases (ERKs) or classical MAP kinases are widely expressed protein kinase intracellular signalling molecules that are involved in functions including the regulation of meiosis, mitosis, and postmitotic functions in differentiated cells. Many different stimuli, including growth factors, cytokines, virus infection, ligands for heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors, transforming agents, and carcinogens, activate the ERK pathway.

The term, "extracellular signal–regulated kinases", is sometimes used as a synonym for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), but has more recently been adopted for a specific subset of the mammalian MAPK family. In the MAPK/ERK pathway, Ras activates c-Raf, followed by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (abbreviated as MKK, MEK, or MAP2K) and then MAPK1/2 (below). Ras is typically activated by growth hormones through receptor tyrosine kinases and GRB2/SOS, but may also receive other signals. ERKs are known to activate many transcription factors, such as ELK1,[1] and some downstream protein kinases. Disruption of the ERK pathway is common in cancers, especially Ras, c-Raf and receptors such as HER2.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1

See also: MAPK1
mitogen-activated protein kinase 1
Identifiers
Symbol MAPK1
Alt. symbols PRKM2, PRKM1
Entrez 5594
HUGO 6871
OMIM 176948
RefSeq NM_002745
UniProt P28482
Other data
Locus Chr. 22 q11.2

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) is also known as "extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2" (ERK2). Two similar (85% sequence identity) protein kinases were originally called ERK1 and ERK2.[2] They were found during a search for protein kinases that are rapidly phosphorylated after activation of cell surface tyrosine kinases such as the epidermal growth factor receptor. Phosphorylation of ERKs leads to the activation of their kinase activity.

The molecular events linking cell surface receptors to activation of ERKs are complex. It was found that Ras GTP-binding proteins are involved in the activation of ERKs.[3] Another protein kinase, Raf-1, was shown to phosphorylate a "MAP kinase-kinase", thus qualifying as a "MAP kinase kinase kinase".[4] The MAP kinase-kinase, which activates ERK, was named "MAPK/ERK kinase" (MEK).[5]

Receptor-linked tyrosine kinases, Ras, Raf, MEK, and MAPK could be fitted into a signaling cascade linking an extracellular signal to MAPK activation.[6] See: MAPK/ERK pathway.

Transgenic gene knockout mice lacking MAPK1 have major defects in early development.[7]

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3

See also: MAPK3
mitogen-activated protein kinase 3
Identifiers
Symbol MAPK3
Alt. symbols PRKM3
Entrez 5595
HUGO 6877
OMIM 601795
RefSeq NM_001040056
UniProt P27361
Other data
Locus Chr. 16 p11.2

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) is also known as "extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1" (ERK1). Transgenic gene knockout mice lacking MAPK3 are viable and it is thought that MAPK1 can fulfill most MAPK3 functions in most cells.[8] The main exception is in T cells. Mice lacking MAPK3 have reduced T cell development past the CD4+CD8+ stage.

External links

References

  1. Rao VN, Reddy ES (July 1994). "elk-1 proteins interact with MAP kinases". Oncogene 9 (7): 1855–60. PMID 8208531.
  2. Boulton TG, Cobb MH (May 1991). "Identification of multiple extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) with antipeptide antibodies". Cell Regul. 2 (5): 357–71. doi:10.1091/mbc.2.5.357. PMC 361802. PMID 1654126.
  3. Leevers SJ, Marshall CJ (February 1992). "Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, ERK2, by p21ras oncoprotein". EMBO J. 11 (2): 569–74. PMC 556488. PMID 1371463.
  4. Kyriakis JM, App H, Zhang XF; et al. (July 1992). "Raf-1 activates MAP kinase-kinase". Nature 358 (6385): 417–21. doi:10.1038/358417a0. PMID 1322500.
  5. Crews CM, Erikson RL (September 1992). "Purification of a murine protein-tyrosine/threonine kinase that phosphorylates and activates the Erk-1 gene product: relationship to the fission yeast byr1 gene product". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89 (17): 8205–9. doi:10.1073/pnas.89.17.8205. PMC 49886. PMID 1381507.
  6. Itoh T, Kaibuchi K, Masuda T; et al. (February 1993). "A protein factor for ras p21-dependent activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase through MAP kinase kinase". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90 (3): 975–9. doi:10.1073/pnas.90.3.975. PMC 45793. PMID 8381539.
  7. Yao Y, Li W, Wu J; et al. (October 2003). "Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 is necessary for mesoderm differentiation". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100 (22): 12759–64. doi:10.1073/pnas.2134254100. PMC 240691. PMID 14566055.
  8. Pagès G, Guérin S, Grall D; et al. (November 1999). "Defective thymocyte maturation in p44 MAP kinase (Erk 1) knockout mice". Science 286 (5443): 1374–7. doi:10.1126/science.286.5443.1374. PMID 10558995.
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