Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7)

Mitogen‑activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7, also known as MAP2K7) is a dual-specificity protein kinase that functions as an essential activator of the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) within the mitogen‑activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling cascade. It phosphorylates and activates JNK but not p38 or ERKs. MKK7 plays a central role in transmitting extracellular signals—such as cytokines or environmental stresses—to intracellular effectors that regulate gene expression, apoptosis, inflammation, and cellular differentiation. It is widely expressed across tissues and acts upstream of key cellular decisions involving proliferation versus programmed cell death. Dysregulation of this pathway has been implicated in cancer development/progression and inflammatory diseases[2][7].

Other names

MKK7MAP2K7Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7JNKK2 (c-Jun N-terminal kinases Kinase 2)PRKMK7

Drugs or tool compounds that inhibit MKK7 would block phosphorylation and activation of downstream c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), thereby modulating cellular responses to stress, inflammation, or apoptosis signals