MAPK-JNK Signaling Pathway

JNK, also known as stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK), is another subtype of MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling pathway in mammalian cells. The MAPK-JNK pathway can be activated by various environmental stresses, inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and CPCR agonists. Stress response signals are transmitted to this cascade via the RHO family of small molecule GTPases. After transported into the nucleus, JNK regulates the activity of various transcription factors, thus mediate the transcriptional activation of JUN, ELK1, P53, etc, which play important role in various physiological and pathological processes such as cell cycle, reproduction, apoptosis, and cellular stress.