MAP kinase activated protein kinase 2 (MK2)

MAP kinase activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2 or MK2) is a serine/threonine-protein kinase that plays a central role in cellular responses to stress and inflammation. It is directly phosphorylated and activated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38 MAPKs), especially under conditions of cellular or environmental stress. MK2 regulates cytokine production and inflammatory responses; controls endocytosis, cytoskeletal reorganization, cell migration, cell cycle progression, and gene expression regulation. It plays a key role in maintaining endothelial barrier integrity via actin and vimentin remodeling, important for vascular repair after injury. MK2 mediates initiation of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and is a potential therapeutic target for various inflammatory diseases including fibrosis, arthritis, cancer progression as well as cardiovascular disorders like pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Other names

MAPKAPK2Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2

p38 MAPK and MK2 inhibition