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Home > A. Molecular pathology > ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

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ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

Signal-transduction pathway of the TrkA tyrosine kinase receptor.

The Ras-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway plays a central role in cell proliferation control.

The p44/42 MAP Kinase pathway consists of a protein kinase cascade linking growth and differentiation signals with transcription in the nucleus.

Growth factor receptors and tyrosine kinases activate Ras which in turn activates c-Raf, MEK, and MAP kinase. Activated p44/42 MAP Kinase translocates to the nucleus and activates transcription by phosphorylation of kinases such as p90 RSK, MSK, and transcription factors such as ELK-1 and Stat3.

The importance of this pathway in both growth control and development has been demonstrated via the transforming properties of various mutant forms of Ras, Raf, MEK and by their effects on development.

Signal amplification and the potential for crosstalk appear to be important features of this regulatory network.

Pathology

In normal cells, sustained activation of ERK1/ERK2 is necessary for G1- to S-phase progression and is associated with induction of positive regulators of the cell cycle and inactivation of antiproliferative genes.

In cells expressing activated Ras or Raf mutants, hyperactivation of the ERK1/2 pathway elicits cell cycle arrest by inducing the accumulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors.

Members

NGF NGFR SHC GRB2 SOS-1
HRAS RAF1 MAP2K1 (MEK1) MAP2K2 (MEK2) MAPK3 (ERK1) MAPK1 (ERK2)
RPS6KA5 (MSK1) RPS6KA1 (P90RSSK) MKNK1 (MINK1) MKNK2 (MINK2) MYC ELK1 STAT3 EST1 EST2

See also

- Biocarta

References

- The ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway as a master regulator of the G1- to S-phase transition. Meloche S, Pouysségur J. Oncogene. 2007 May 14;26(22):3227-39. PMID: 17496918