Extracellular signal-regulated kinase as an inducer of non-apoptotic neuronal death.
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is a versatile protein kinase, which has been implicated in signaling numerous biological functions ranging from embryonic development to memory formation. Recent reports, including ours, indicate that ERK plays a central role in promoting neuronal degeneration in various neuronal systems including neurodegenerative diseases. Mechanisms involved in ERK-induced neuronal degeneration are beginning to emerge. In this review, we summarize evidence suggesting ERK to be a predominant inducer of a non-apoptotic mode of neuronal death. Further, we discuss the mechanisms and the putative molecular inter-players associated with ERK-mediated neuronal death.
Subramaniam
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Neuroanatomy and Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany. srinivasa.subramaniam@urz.uni-heidelberg.de
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D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy / Q000502:physiology; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D002154:Calpain / Q000378:metabolism; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000201:enzymology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D002154:Calpain; D020169:Caspases