ERK2 Recombinant Protein

This gene encodes a member of the MAP kinase family. MAP kinases, also known as extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), act as an integration point for multiple biochemical signals, and are involved in a wide variety of cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, transcription regulation and development. The activation of this kinase requires its phosphorylation by upstream kinases. Upon activation, this kinase translocates to the nucleus of the stimulated cells, where it phosphorylates nuclear targets. One study also suggests that this protein acts as a transcriptional repressor independent of its kinase activity. The encoded protein has been identified as a moonlighting protein based on its ability to perform mechanistically distinct functions. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding the same protein, but differing in the UTRs, have been reported for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2014]

ERK2: a serine/threonine kinase of the GMGC group that plays a critical role in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. ERK1 (MAPK3) and ERK2 (MAPK1) play central roles in MAPK cascades and are activated by a wide variety of extracellular signals including growth and neurotrophic factors, cytokines, hormones and neurotransmitters. Depending on the cellular context, MAPK cascades mediate diverse biological functions such as cell growth, adhesion, survival and differentiation through the regulation of transcription, translation, cytoskeletal rearrangements. MAPK cascades also plays a role in initiation and regulation of meiosis, mitosis, and postmitotic functions in differentiated cells by phosphorylating a number of transcription factors. Activation of MAP kinases occurs through phosphorylation of threonine and tyrosine residues at the sequence T*EY* by upstream MAP kinase kinases, MEK1 and -2. Phosphorylation of both the threonine and tyrosine are required for activity. This phosphorylation causes dramatic conformational changes, which enable full activation and interaction of MAPK1/ERK2 with its substrates.

Protein type: CMGC group; EC 2.7.11.24; ERK subfamily; Kinase, protein; MAPK family; MAPK/ERK subfamily; Protein kinase, CMGC; Protein kinase, Ser/Thr (non-receptor)

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 22q11.22

Cellular Component: caveola; cytoplasm; cytoskeleton; cytosol; early endosome; extracellular region; focal adhesion; Golgi apparatus; late endosome; mitochondrion; nucleoplasm; nucleus; plasma membrane

Molecular Function: identical protein binding; kinase activity; MAP kinase activity; phosphatase binding; protein binding; protein serine/threonine kinase activity; RNA polymerase subunit kinase activity

Biological Process: activation of MAPK activity; axon guidance; cellular response to amino acid starvation; chemotaxis; fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling pathway; MAPKKK cascade; neutrophil degranulation; peptidyl-serine phosphorylation; peptidyl-threonine phosphorylation; platelet activation; positive regulation of telomerase activity; positive regulation of telomere maintenance via telomerase; protein amino acid phosphorylation; regulation of cytoskeleton organization and biogenesis; regulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase cascade; regulation of protein stability; regulation of stress-activated MAPK cascade; regulation of transcription factor activity; response to nicotine; response to stress; signal transduction; stress-activated MAPK cascade; synaptic transmission