MAPK-p38 Signaling Pathway

The p38 kinase is another member of the Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. It has been found that there are 5 isoforms of p38 MAPKs, which are p38α (p38), p38β1, p38β2, p38γ, and p38δ. Their distribution is tissue-specific: p38α, p38β1, and p38β2 are widely present in various tissue cells, p38γ is only present in skeletal muscle cells, and p38δ is mainly present in glandular tissue. Study confirms that the activator of the MAPK-p38 pathway is similar to the MAPK-JNK pathway. Some pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1) and stress stimuli (UV, H2O2, heat shock, hyperosmotic, and protein synthesis inhibitors) that can activate JNK also can activate p38. P38 MAPK is closely related to the initiation of apoptosis and the quiescence of the cell cycle in cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer and lymphoma. P38 MAPK plays different role in different tumor cells, even acts completely oppositely. Therefore, the specific study on the role of MAPK-p38 signaling pathway in various tumors and normal cells can provide theoretical guidance for further tumor treatment.