Preferred Label : MAPKinase Signaling Pathway;
Alternative definition : BIOCARTA: The ever evolving mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) pathways
consist of four major groupings and numerous related proteins which constitute interrelated
signal transduction cascades activated by stimuli such as growth factors, stress,
cytokines and inflammation. The four major groupings are the Erk, JNK or SAPK, p38,
and the Big MAPK or ERK5 cascades. Signals from cell surface receptors such as GPCRs
and growth factor receptors are transduced, directly or via small G proteins such
as ras and rac, to multiple tiers of protein kinases that amplify these signals and/or
regulate each other. In some cascades the first activation tier involves the MAPKKKKs,
MAP kinase kinase kinase kinases or MAP4K proteins. The next tier are the serine/threonine
MAPKKKs, MAP kinase kinase kinase or MAP3Ks such as RAF, TAK, ASK, and MEKK1. This
level has the greatest amount of cross-communication currently known. The serine/threonine/tyrosine
MAPKKs, MAP Kinase kinases or MAP2Ks, such as the MKK and MEK kinases, are one step
up from the MAP kinase cascade, phosphorylating and activating these kinases. The
focal tier, the MAPKs or MAP kinases includes JNK1, p38, and ERKs, and are the kinases
that give each cascade its name. The endpoints of these cascades include the MAPK
activated protein kinases (MAPKAPK) and some of the numerous transcription factors
that regulate genes involved in apoptosis, inflammation, cell growth and differentiation.
(This definition may be outdated - see the DesignNote.);
NCIt note : The BIOCARTA Definition (ALT_DEFINITION) for this pathway concept was provided by
BioCarta. This property was not created by, nor is it maintained by the NCI Thesaurus
staff. Additionally, BioCarta is no longer updating its pathway data; thus, the BIOCARTA
Definition might be outdated or inaccurate. Please see the Terms and Conditions for
Use at http://www.biocarta.com/.;
Biocarta ID : h_mapkPathway;
Origin ID : C39146;
UMLS CUI : C1518103;
Semantic type(s)
has_gene_product_element
pathway_has_gene_element