MAPK signaling pathway
The Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is a crucial intracellular signal transduction network that plays avital role in a variety of physiological functions of the cell, including cell proliferation, differentiation, movement, stress response, apoptosis, and survival.
Signal Transduction Process: The MAPK pathway typically involves a three-tiered signal transduction process, including:
Main Branches: There are four main branches of the MAPK pathway, which are:
Signal Activation: The MAPK pathway can be activated by a variety of extracellular stimuli, including growth factors, cytokines, and environmental stresses. These stimuli activate MAPKKK through receptor-dependent or -independent mechanisms, thereby activating the downstream signal transduction chain.
Substrate Activation: The activation of MAPK leads to the phosphorylation and activation of specific MAPK-activated protein kinases (MAPKAPK), which further enhance the signal and mediate a wide range of biological processes regulated by different MAPKs.
Biological Functions: The biological processes regulated by the MAPK pathway include but are not limited to cell cycle control, cell stress response, inflammatory response, cell apoptosis, and cell differentiation.
Disease Association: Abnormal activation of the MAPK signaling pathway is associated with various diseases, especially cancer, where the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway is closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. Mutations in RAS proteins are very common in various cancers, and inhibitors targeting RAS are potential therapeutic strategies.
Research Significance: In-depth study of the mechanisms of the MAPK signaling pathway is crucial for understanding cellular physiology and pathology, which helps in developing new therapeutic drugs and strategies.
○ MAPK: Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases, such as ERK, JNK, p38, etc.
○ MAPK Kinases (MEK or MKK): Responsible for activating MAPK.
○ MAPK Kinase Kinases (MEKK or MKKK): Activate MAPK Kinases.
○ ERK (Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase): Mainly associated with cell growth and differentiation.
○ p38 MAPK: Involved in inflammatory responses, cell cycle control, and apoptosis.
○ JNK (c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase): Associated with stress responses, inflammation, and cell death.
○ ERK5: Less studied, but related to cell growth and differentiation.
Drug Targets
