Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (MAPK)

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is a signal transduction system composed of a cascade of serine/threonine-specific protein kinases, including ERK, JNK, and p38 kinases. These components regulate cellular responses to a wide variety of stimuli including growth factors, cytokines, and environmental stresses. MAPKs transmit signals from the cell surface to the nucleus, influencing cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, apoptosis, and immune response. Dysregulation of MAPK pathway components is implicated in many diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders. Therapeutic targeting of MAPK components (such as MEK and RAF) is the basis for several approved and investigational drugs in oncology and beyond[1][3][4][5][6][10].

Other names

ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase)JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase)p38 kinaseMAP kinase

Inhibition of phosphorylation and signal transduction to prevent cell proliferation Induction of apoptosis in tumor cells Blocking downstream mitogenic and survival signaling cascades