MAPK3

What is MAPK3 protein?

MAPK3 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 3) gene is a protein coding gene which situated on the short arm of chromosome 16 at locus 16p11. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the MAP kinase family. MAP kinases, also known as extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), act in a signaling cascade that regulates various cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and cell cycle progression in response to a variety of extracellular signals. This kinase is activated by upstream kinases, resulting in its translocation to the nucleus where it phosphorylates nuclear targets. The MAPK3 protein is consisted of 379 amino acids and its molecular mass is approximately 43.1 kDa.

What is the function of MAPK3 protein?

Activation of MAPK3 requires both tyrosine and threonine phosphorylation that is mediated by MEK. MAPK3 is ubiquitously distributed in tissues with the highest expression in heart, brain and spinal cord. Activated MAPK3 translocates into the nucleus where it phosphorylates various transcription factors (e.g., Elk-1, c-Myc, c-Jun, c-Fos, and C/EBP beta). MAPK3 can respond to extracellular stimuli, such as growth factors, hormones, and neurotransmitters, and activate downstream target proteins through phosphorylation. It is also involved in the regulation of immune response and can be activated by inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and IL-1β, thus inducing the occurrence and maintenance of inflammatory response. It can also be activated by a variety of carcinogenic factors, such as Ras mutation, PTEN deletion, etc., and then promote the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of tumor cells.

MAPK3 Related Signaling Pathway

MAPK3 is an important member of the MAPK family, which can respond to a variety of extracellular stimuli, such as growth factors, hormones, neurotransmitters, and activate downstream target proteins through phosphorylation, thereby mediating cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and other biological processes. MAPK3 is located between RAS GTPase and MAPK1 in the member kinase cascade, and MAPK3 can be activated by Ras proteins, which activate MAPK1 through phosphorylation, thereby regulating a variety of cell biological responses. In addition, MAPK3 can also be involved in the regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Fig1. The proposed signaling pathways involved in Kisspeptin-modulated cell invasion and migration in endometrial cancer cells. (Hsien-Ming Wu, 2024)

MAPK3 Related Diseases

MAPK3 is abnormally expressed in a variety of cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. It can promote the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of tumor cells by activating MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. MAPK3 can promote neuronal survival and axon growth by activating MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, thus participating in the occurrence and development of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other diseases. It can also promote inflammatory response and immune response by activating NF-κB signaling pathway, thus participating in the occurrence and development of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition, the mutation of MAPK3 gene is associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and coronary heart disease.

Bioapplications of MAPK3

MAPK3 has important application value in many biological fields, and has important research significance for in-depth understanding of the mechanism of cell signaling, the mechanism of tumorigenesis, and the function and disease of nervous system and cardiovascular system. Therapeutic strategies targeting MAPK3 are also being investigated, such as the use of antibodies or small molecule inhibitors to inhibit its activity, thereby stopping tumor growth and metastasis.