Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development
09:32

Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development

Published on: June 15, 2017

The Raf/MEK/ERK pathway: new concepts of activation

C Peyssonnaux1, A Eychène

  • 1UMR 146 CNRS, Institut Curie - recherche, centre universitaire, Orsay, France.

Biology of the Cell
|December 4, 2001
PubMed

Insights

The Raf/MEK/ERK pathway, a key signaling cascade, regulates diverse cellular functions. This review highlights new insights into its activation and regulation, emphasizing B-Raf and KSR roles.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The Raf/MEK/ERK pathway is a well-established mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade.
  • It plays critical roles in fundamental cellular processes including proliferation, cell-cycle arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis.
  • Its understanding has been advanced by genetic studies in model organisms and biochemical analyses in mammalian systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review emerging concepts in the activation and regulation of the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling module.
  • To underscore the significant role of B-Raf within this pathway.
  • To discuss the involvement of novel regulatory components, such as KSR.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing literature and research findings.
  • It integrates data from genetic studies (e.g., in worms and flies) and biochemical studies (in mammalian cells).
  • Focuses on conceptual advancements rather than novel experimental data.

Main Results:

  • The Raf/MEK/ERK pathway's regulation is complex and continually evolving with new discoveries.
  • B-Raf emerges as a key player with a preponderant role in pathway activation.
  • Novel regulators like KSR (Kinase Suppressor of Ras) are identified as important contributors to pathway modulation.

Conclusions:

  • Despite extensive study, the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway remains an active area of research with ongoing debates.
  • New regulatory mechanisms and molecular partners are constantly being uncovered, adding layers of complexity.
  • Understanding these intricacies, particularly the roles of B-Raf and KSR, is crucial for deciphering cellular signaling.

More Related Videos

Characterize Disease-related Mutants of RAF Family Kinases by Using a Set of Practical and Feasible Methods07:49

Characterize Disease-related Mutants of RAF Family Kinases by Using a Set of Practical and Feasible Methods

Published on: July 17, 2019

An Efficient Protocol to Assess ERK Activity Modulation in Early Zebrafish Noonan Syndrome Models via Live FRET Microscopy and Immunofluorescence09:58

An Efficient Protocol to Assess ERK Activity Modulation in Early Zebrafish Noonan Syndrome Models via Live FRET Microscopy and Immunofluorescence

Published on: May 2, 2025

Related Concept Videos

MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

MAPK Signaling Cascades

Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade01:22

Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade

When a ligand binds to a cell-surface receptor, the receptor's intracellular domain changes shape, which may either activate its enzyme function or allow its binding to other molecules. The initial signal is amplified by most signal transduction pathways. This means that a single ligand molecule can activate multiple molecules of a downstream target. Proteins that relay a signal are most commonly phosphorylated at one or more sites, activating or inactivating the protein. Kinases catalyze the...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases01:26

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases

Receptor tyrosine kinases or RTKs are membrane-bound receptors that phosphorylate specific tyrosine on protein substrates. RTKs regulate cellular growth, differentiation, survival, and migration. They contain an extracellular ligand binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytosolic tail with intrinsic kinase activity. Several extracellular signaling molecules activate RTKs in one or more ways and relay the signal downstream. Ligands such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or...
Enzyme-linked Receptors01:13

Enzyme-linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are proteins that act as both receptor and enzyme, activating multiple intracellular signals. This is a large group of receptors that include the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Many growth factors and hormones bind to and activate the RTKs.Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...