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Extracellular signal-regulated kinasesIn molecular biology, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) or classical MAP kinases are widely expressed protein kinase intracellular signalling molecules which 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.[citation needed] Additional recommended knowledgeThe 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 MEK 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 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
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.[2] Another protein kinase, Raf-1, was shown to phosphorylate a "MAPK kinase", thus qualifying as a "MAPK kinase kinase".[3] The MAPK kinase was named "MAPK/ERK kinase" (MEK).[4] Receptor-linked tyrosine kinases, Ras, Raf, MEK and MAPK could be fitted into a signaling cascade linking an extracellular signal to MAPK activation.[5] See: MAPK/ERK pathway. Transgenic gene knockout mice lacking MAPK1 have major defects in early development.[6] Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3
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Categories: Cell signaling | Signal transduction | Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases |
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Extracellular_signal-regulated_kinases". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |