title: Redundancy in the World of MAP Kinases: All for One.
abstract: The protein kinases ERK1 and ERK2 are the effector components of the prototypical ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. This signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and survival, and is essential for embryonic development and cellular homeostasis. ERK1 and ERK2 homologs share similar biochemical properties but whether they exert specific physiological functions or act redundantly has been a matter of controversy. However, recent studies now provide compelling evidence in support of functionally redundant roles of ERK1 and ERK2 in embryonic development and physiology. In this review, we present a critical assessment of the evidence for the functional specificity or redundancy of MAP kinase isoforms. We focus on the ERK1/ERK2 pathway but also discuss the case of JNK and p38 isoforms.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Marc K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Saba-El-Leil
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontréal, QC, Canada; Institute for Research in Cancer of MontpellierMontpellier, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frémin
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontréal, QC, Canada; Molecular Biology Program, Université de MontréalMontréal, QC, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Université de MontréalMontréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meloche
keywords: ERK1/2; JNK; MAP kinases; functional redundancy; mouse genetics; p38; signal transduction