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Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

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Understanding MAPK Signaling Pathways in Apoptosis

Jicheng Yue1, José M López2

  • 1School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University Medical College, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou 215123, China.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 2, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways have dual roles in apoptosis, acting as activators or inhibitors. Understanding MAPK signaling properties and feedback loops helps predict cellular decisions during apoptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways are crucial regulators of diverse biological processes.
  • MAPKs exhibit a dual role in apoptosis, functioning as either activators or inhibitors based on cellular context and stimuli.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review pro- and anti-apoptotic mechanisms regulated by MAPKs.
  • To elucidate the crosstalk between different MAPK pathways.
  • To describe MAPK signaling properties and their role in apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of MAPK signaling in apoptosis.
  • Analysis of MAPK signaling properties like ultrasensitivity and hysteresis.
  • Examination of positive feedback loops in apoptotic pathways.
  • Case study using Xenopus oocytes to investigate osmostress-induced apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • MAPKs play complex, context-dependent roles in apoptosis.
  • Positive feedback loops are prevalent in apoptosis, contributing to irreversible cellular decisions.
  • MAPK behavior can be predicted based on stimulus characteristics.

Conclusions:

  • MAPK signaling pathways are key drivers of apoptosis.
  • Understanding MAPK dynamics, including feedback mechanisms, is essential for comprehending irreversible cellular fate decisions.
  • The study provides insights into MAPK involvement in osmostress-induced apoptosis.
Keywords:
ERKJNKMAPKapoptosiscaspasesfeedback loopsoocytesp38protein kinasessignaling

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