title: Role of extracellular signal regulated kinases 1 and 2 in neuronal survival.
abstract: Extracellular signal regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) regulate cellular responses to a variety of extracellular stimuli. In the nervous system, ERK1/2 is critical for neuronal differentiation, plasticity and may also modulate neuronal survival. In this minireview, we present evidence that supports prosurvival activity of ERK1/2 in neurons. Several reports suggest that ERK1/2 mediates neuroprotective activity of extracellular factors, including neurotrophins. In addition, ERK1/2 is activated by neuronal injury. In damaged cells, ERK1/2 activation may act as a defensive mechanism that helps to compensate for the deleterious effects of a damaging insult. The emerging mechanisms of ERK1/2-mediated neuroprotection may involve transcriptional regulation and/or direct inhibition of cell death machinery.
authors.affiliation: Kentucky Spinal Cord Research Injury Center and Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hetman
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gozdz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D004249:DNA Damage; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D051379:Mice; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000502:physiology*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases