title: Mechanisms of ERK1/2 regulation by seven-transmembrane-domain receptors.
abstract: Control of cell growth and differentiation has long been a focus of intense research interest, particularly in the context of cancer therapeutics. The evolutionarily-conserved extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) are serine-threonine kinases that respond to a wide range of mitogens and growth factors to initiate changes in cellular proliferation and differentiation, and are the most important members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family in terms of seven transmembrane-domain receptor (7TMR)-mediated regulation of mitogenic processes. Regulation of the ERK1/2 signaling cascade by 7TMRs is highly complex and cell type-specific. Recent advances in our knowledge of this effector pathway have revealed that its regulation is at least partly independent of traditional G protein-mediated actions arising from the stimulation of 7TMRs. This review summarizes the current position of our knowledge of ERK1/2 regulation, and illustrates the wealth of potential targets available for the development of new strategies for the treatment of proliferative and other ERK-related disorders.
authors.affiliation: Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Tim D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Werry
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christopoulos
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Sexton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases