Mapk7

MAPK7, also known as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5), is a protein kinase of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. The MAPK7 gene encodes this kinase in humans. Like other MAPKs, MAPK7 participates in signaling pathways that transmit signals from the cell surface to the nucleus to regulate gene expression in response to growth factors and stress.

MAPK7 has an N-terminal kinase domain and a distinctive long C-terminal extension that contains a transcriptional activation domain. It is activated by dual phosphorylation within its activation loop on a TEY motif by the upstream kinase MEK5 (MAP2K5). Activated MAPK7 can move into the nucleus to influence transcription by phosphorylating transcription factors such as MEF2 family members.

In cells, MAPK7 regulates processes including proliferation, differentiation, survival, and migration, and it participates in angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. It plays important roles during development, notably in cardiovascular and neural tissues, and is expressed in a broad range of tissues, with notable expression in heart and brain.

Dysregulation of MAPK7 signaling has been observed in various cancers and inflammatory conditions, and the MAPK7/ERK5 axis is an area of interest for therapeutic targeting. Research uses pharmacological inhibitors of MEK5 or ERK5 to dissect pathway function.