MAP2K4
Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dual-specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP2K4 gene.[5]
MAP2K4 encodes a dual-specificity kinase that belongs to the Ser/Thr protein kinase family. MAP2K4 phosphorylates MAP kinases in response to various environmental stresses or mitogenic stimuli. MAPK8/JNK1, MAPK9/JNK2, and MAPK14/p38 are substrates for MAP2K4, but MAPK1/ERK2 and MAPK3/ERK1 are not phosphorylated by MAP2K4. Structurally, MAP2K4 contains a kinase domain that is phosphorylated and activated by MAP3K1(aka MEKK1).[6] MAP2K4 contains multiple amino acid sites that are phosphorylated and ubiquitinated.[7] Genetic studies using Map2k4 knockout mice revealed embryonic lethality, impaired hepatogenesis and defective liver formation.[8][9] Analysis of chimeric mice identified a role for Map2k4 in T cell cytokine production and proliferation.[10] Map2k4-deficient chimeric mice frequently develop lymphadenopathy.[11] MAP2K4 is altered in 1.97% of all human cancers.[12]