Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Methods to Study Mrp4-containing Macromolecular Complexes in the Regulation of Fibroblast Migration
10:43

Methods to Study Mrp4-containing Macromolecular Complexes in the Regulation of Fibroblast Migration

Published on: May 19, 2016

Mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 and MK2, MK3 and MK5: ménage à trois or ménage à quatre?

Alexey Shiryaev1, Ugo Moens

  • 1University of Tromsø, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical Biology, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.

Cellular Signalling
|March 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways regulate cell functions. This review examines evidence for and against p38(MAPK) phosphorylating MK5, proposing experiments to clarify this signaling relationship.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Signaling
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are crucial for cellular processes.
  • Key mammalian MAPK pathways include ERK1/2, JNK, p38(MAPK), and ERK5.
  • MAPKs activate downstream targets, including MAPK-activated protein kinases (MAPKAPKs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence supporting and refuting MK5 as a direct substrate of p38(MAPK).
  • To discuss potential reasons for the conflicting findings regarding the p38(MAPK)-MK5 interaction.
  • To suggest experimental approaches for definitively determining if p38(MAPK) phosphorylates MK5.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating p38(MAPK) and MK5 interactions.
  • Analysis of experimental data presented in existing research.
  • Synthesis of findings to identify discrepancies and propose future research directions.

Main Results:

  • Evidence exists both for and against MK5 being a direct substrate of p38(MAPK).
  • Discrepancies in findings may stem from variations in experimental conditions or methodologies.
  • The precise relationship between p38(MAPK) and MK5 remains unresolved.

Conclusions:

  • The direct phosphorylation of MK5 by p38(MAPK) is a subject of ongoing debate.
  • Further well-designed experiments are necessary to elucidate the p38(MAPK)-MK5 signaling axis.
  • Clarifying this relationship is important for understanding MAPK pathway regulation and cellular responses.

More Related Videos

Mutagenesis and Analysis of Genetic Mutations in the GC-rich KISS1 Receptor Sequence Identified in Humans with Reproductive Disorders12:49

Mutagenesis and Analysis of Genetic Mutations in the GC-rich KISS1 Receptor Sequence Identified in Humans with Reproductive Disorders

Published on: September 4, 2011

Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development09:32

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

Published on: June 15, 2017

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...
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...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis02:15

M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis

Checkpoints throughout the cell cycle serve as safeguards and gatekeepers, allowing the cell cycle to progress in favorable conditions and slow or halt it in problematic ones. This regulation is known as the cell cycle control system.
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis02:15

M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis

Checkpoints throughout the cell cycle serve as safeguards and gatekeepers, allowing the cell cycle to progress in favorable conditions and slow or halt it in problematic ones. This regulation is known as the cell cycle control system.
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
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...