MAP KINASE Meaning and
Definition
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Map kinase, also known as mitogen-activated protein kinase, refers to a type of enzyme that plays a crucial role in various cellular processes, particularly in signal transduction pathways. These pathways convey external signals, such as growth factors and stress signals, into the cell to regulate different cellular functions, such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis.
Map kinases are serine/threonine kinases that are capable of phosphorylating specific target proteins within the cell. They are part of a larger kinase cascade, involving multiple protein kinases, which transmits the signal from the cell surface receptor to the target proteins in the nucleus, cytoplasm, or other cellular compartments. This cascade consists of three consecutive kinases: a MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K), a MAP kinase kinase (MAP2K), and finally, the MAP kinase itself.
Upon activation, map kinases undergo a series of phosphorylation events, ultimately leading to their translocation into the nucleus or other cellular compartments, where they interact with their target proteins, such as transcription factors, to modify gene expression and initiate appropriate cellular responses. Map kinases are known to be involved in various physiological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, inflammation, stress response, and cell death.
Dysregulation of map kinases has been implicated in the development of various diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and immune disorders. Therefore, map kinases are a significant area of study in biomedical research and a potential target for therapeutic interventions.
Common Misspellings for MAP KINASE
- map kinase 3
- nap kinase
- kap kinase
- jap kinase
- mzp kinase
- msp kinase
- mwp kinase
- mqp kinase
- mao kinase
- mal kinase
- ma0 kinase
- map jinase
- map minase
- map linase
- map oinase
- map iinase
- map kunase
- map kjnase
- map kknase
- map konase
Etymology of MAP KINASE
The word "map kinase" is derived from two terms: "MAP" and "kinase".
- "MAP" stands for Mitogen-Activated Protein. This term originated from research in the 1970s when scientists discovered that certain proteins in cells were phosphorylated (activated) in response to mitogenic signals, which are signals that stimulate cell division and growth. These proteins were named "Mitogen-Activated Proteins" as they were specifically activated by mitogenic stimuli.
- "Kinase" is a suffix commonly used to describe an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group from a molecule (usually ATP) to another molecule, thereby phosphorylating it. Kinases play a crucial role in various cellular processes, including signal transduction pathways and regulation of protein activity.
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