title: The MEK/ERK cascade: from signaling specificity to diverse functions.
abstract: The ERK signaling cascade is a central MAPK pathway that plays a role in the regulation of various cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, development, learning, survival and, under some conditions, also apoptosis. The ability of this cascade to regulate so many distinct, and even opposing, cellular processes, raises the question of signaling specificity determination by this cascade. Here we describe mechanisms that cooperate to direct MEK-ERK signals to their appropriate downstream destinations. These include duration and strength of the signals, interaction with specific scaffolds, changes in subcellular localization, crosstalk with other signaling pathways, and presence of multiple components with distinct functions in each tier of the cascade. Since many of the mechanisms do not function properly in cancer cells, understanding them may shed light not only on the regulation of normal cell proliferation, but also on mechanisms of oncogenic transformation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Regulation, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100 Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Yoav D
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Shaul
authors.forename: Rony
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D009154:Mutation; D010766:Phosphorylation; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases