Mitogen-activated protein kinase 9

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 9 (MAPK9), also known as Jun N-terminal kinase 2 (JNK2), is a type of protein kinase that plays a crucial role in cell signaling. It is part of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, which is involved in various cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, transcription regulation and development.

Structure

MAPK9 is encoded by the MAPK9 gene. The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 54 kDa and consists of 424 amino acids. It contains a dual phosphorylation site, which is a characteristic feature of all MAP kinases.

Function

MAPK9 is activated by various cell stress signals and cytokines. Once activated, it can phosphorylate a number of transcription factors, including c-Jun, ATF2, and ELK1. This leads to changes in gene expression, which can affect cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis.

Role in Disease

Alterations in the MAPK9 pathway have been implicated in a number of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory diseases. For example, overactivation of MAPK9 has been observed in several types of cancer, suggesting that it may be a potential target for cancer therapy.

Research

Research into MAPK9 has focused on understanding its role in cell signaling and disease. This includes studies to identify the specific signals that activate MAPK9, as well as efforts to develop drugs that can inhibit its activity.

See Also

• Mitogen-activated protein kinase
• Protein kinase
• Cell signaling
• Cancer
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Inflammatory diseases