Overview:

Extracellular-Signal Regulated Kinase/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (ERK/MAPK) is a serine threonine kinase. It plays an integral role of cellular signaling during mitogenesis and differentiation of mitotic cells. ERK is presumed to have a key role in learning and memory (1,2,3). The activity of this kinase is regulated by phosphorylation at Thr202 and Tyr204 (4). Activated ERK1/2 translocates into the nucleus where it phosphorylates various transcription factors (e.g Elk-1, c-Myc, c-Jun, c-Fos and C/EBP beta).

References:

1. Adams, J P. et al: Molecular psychology: Roles for the ERK MAP kinase cascade in memory. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2002 42:135-163.2. Johnson, G L. et al: Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways mediated by ERK, JNK, and p38 protein kinases. Science 202 298:1911-1912.3. Tanoue, T J. et al: Molecular recognitions in the MAP kinase cascades. Cellular Signaling 2003 15:455-462.4. Ahn, N G.: The MAP kinase cascade. Discovery of a new signal transduction pathway. Mol Cell Biochem 1993 127-128:201-209.