MAPK3 siRNA – Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 Isoform 2 (Human)

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the MAP kinase family. MAP kinases, also known as extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), act in a signaling cascade that regulates various cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and cell cycle progression in response to a variety of extracellular signals. This kinase is activated by upstream kinases, resulting in its translocation to the nucleus where it phosphorylates nuclear targets. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different protein isoforms have been described. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

ERK1: 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: Protein kinase, CMGC; Kinase, protein; Protein kinase, Ser/Thr (non-receptor); EC 2.7.11.24; CMGC group; MAPK family; MAPK/ERK subfamily; ERK subfamily

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 16p11.2

Cellular Component: Golgi apparatus; focal adhesion; mitochondrion; early endosome; nuclear envelope; pseudopodium; caveola; cytosol; nucleoplasm; microtubule cytoskeleton; cytoskeleton; late endosome; nucleus

Molecular Function: MAP kinase activity; protein binding; phosphotyrosine binding; ATP binding; phosphatase binding

Biological Process: axon guidance; viral reproduction; nerve growth factor receptor signaling pathway; positive regulation of histone phosphorylation; activation of MAPKK activity; DNA damage induced protein phosphorylation; apoptosis; activation of MAPK activity; stress-activated MAPK cascade; toll-like receptor 3 signaling pathway; sensory perception of pain; protein amino acid phosphorylation; toll-like receptor 10 signaling pathway; toll-like receptor 5 signaling pathway; BMP signaling pathway; response to exogenous dsRNA; regulation of transcription factor activity; small GTPase mediated signal transduction; lipopolysaccharide-mediated signaling pathway; toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway; epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway; platelet activation; fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling pathway; cytokine and chemokine mediated signaling pathway; MyD88-independent toll-like receptor signaling pathway; MAPKKK cascade; transcription from RNA polymerase I promoter; cell cycle; toll-like receptor 2 signaling pathway; MyD88-dependent toll-like receptor signaling pathway; regulation of stress-activated MAPK cascade; organ morphogenesis; cartilage development; Ras protein signal transduction; insulin receptor signaling pathway; toll-like receptor signaling pathway; innate immune response; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; gene expression; positive regulation of histone acetylation; toll-like receptor 9 signaling pathway; positive regulation of protein amino acid phosphorylation; blood coagulation; transcription initiation from RNA polymerase I promoter; vascular endothelial growth factor receptor signaling pathway; phosphorylation; regulation of cytoskeleton organization and biogenesis