Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Characterize Disease-related Mutants of RAF Family Kinases by Using a Set of Practical and Feasible Methods
Published on: July 17, 2019
Redundancy in the World of MAP Kinases: All for One
Marc K Saba-El-Leil1, Christophe Frémin2, Sylvain Meloche3
1Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada.
Abstract:
The protein kinases ERK1 and ERK2 are the effector components of the prototypical ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. This signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and survival, and is essential for embryonic development and cellular homeostasis. ERK1 and ERK2 homologs share similar biochemical properties but whether they exert specific physiological functions or act redundantly has been a matter of controversy. However, recent studies now provide compelling evidence in support of functionally redundant roles of ERK1 and ERK2 in embryonic development and physiology. In this review, we present a critical assessment of the evidence for the functional specificity or redundancy of MAP kinase isoforms. We focus on the ERK1/ERK2 pathway but also discuss the case of JNK and p38 isoforms.
Related Concept Videos
MAPK Signaling Cascades
Destabilization of Microtubules
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
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...
Microtubule Instability
Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade

