ERK2/A0181

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) 1 also known as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2 or A0181) is a proline-directed, serine/threonine protein kinase from the CMGC group, MAPK family.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) 1 also known as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2 or A0181) is a proline-directed, serine/threonine protein kinase from the CMGC group, MAPK family. It is phosphorylated and activated by MEK kinases and serves as an integration point of multiple signaling cascades, modulating a variety of signaling pathways including proliferation, differentiation, transcription regulation and development. The activity of ERK2 is necessary for different forms of synaptic plasticity, including N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) and NMDAR-dependent long-term depression (LTD). The activity of ERK2 has been associated with specific patterns of synaptic stimulation and different forms of long-term memory are impaired by the use of MEK kinases inhibitors. These inhibitors decrease the protein kinase activity of ERK and animals treated with MEK inhibitors present with impairments in spatial learning and fear conditioning tests. As with other members of the MAPKs, this protein is widely expressed in many tissues. The null ERK2 knock-out mouse is embryonically lethal