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The roles of ASK family proteins in stress responses and diseases

Kazuki Hattori1, Isao Naguro, Christopher Runchel

  • 1Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. ichijo@mol.f.u-tokyo.ac.jp.

Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS
|April 25, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a key stress-activated kinase. Recent findings highlight ASK family proteins

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a kinase in the MAPKKK family.
  • ASK1 activates downstream kinases like JNK and p38.
  • ASK1 activation is triggered by various cellular stresses, including oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and calcium influx.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on ASK family proteins.
  • To discuss the implications of ASK family proteins in various diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent findings on ASK family proteins.
  • Analysis of the role of ASK1 in cellular stress responses.
  • Examination of the involvement of ASK family proteins in disease pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Elucidation of various regulatory mechanisms of ASK1, particularly its activation by oxidative stress.
  • Emerging evidence implicating ASK family proteins in cancer.
  • Emerging evidence implicating ASK family proteins in cardiovascular diseases.
  • Emerging evidence implicating ASK family proteins in neurodegenerative diseases.

Conclusions:

  • ASK family proteins are crucial regulators of cellular stress responses.
  • ASK family proteins represent potential therapeutic targets for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.

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