Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) cascades represent one of the major signal systems used by eukaryotic cells to transduce extracellular signals into cellular responses. The stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs) are MAPKs that are activated by chemical and environmental stresses as well as by proinflammatory cytokines.

Functions

 Stress-activated protein kinases control cell survival and proliferation through transcription factor c-Jun, the Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) subgroup of MAP kinases (MAPKs).

 The Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) subgroup of MAP kinases (MAPKs) have recently emerged as crucial regulators of cell migration and the morphogenetic movement of epithelial sheets.