Function and regulation in MAPK signaling pathways: lessons learned from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Signaling pathways that activate different mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) elicit many of the responses that are evoked in cells by changes in certain environmental conditions and upon exposure to a variety of hormonal and other stimuli. These pathways were first elucidated in the unicellular eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast). Studies of MAPK pathways in this organism continue to be especially informative in revealing the molecular mechanisms by which MAPK cascades operate, propagate signals, modulate cellular processes, and are controlled by regulatory factors both internal to and external to the pathways. Here we highlight recent advances and new insights about MAPK-based signaling that have been made through studies in yeast, which provide lessons directly applicable to, and that enhance our understanding of, MAPK-mediated signaling in mammalian cells.
Chen
Raymond E
RE
Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3202, USA.
Thorner
Jeremy
J
D002453:Cell Cycle; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic