Mitogen-activated protein kinases
mitogen-activated protein kinases
Mitogen-activated protein kinases also known as MAP kinases are serinetyrosine-specific protein kinases belonging to the CMGC (CDK/MAPK/GSK3/CLK) kinase group. The closest relatives of MAPKs are the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). MAPKs are involved in directing cellular responses to a diverse array of stimuli, such as mitogens, osmotic stress, heat shock and proinflammatory cytokines. They regulate proliferation, gene expression, differentiation, mitosis, cell survival, and apoptosis - among many others. MAP kinases are found in eukaryotes only, but they are fairly diverse and encountered in all animals, fungi and plants, and even in an array of unicellular eukaryotes.