The ERKs (MAPK p42/p44) are the prototypic MAPKs and are activated by a variety of mitogenic stimuli as well as differentiation signals. MAPK activation largely requires Ras activation. In Drosophila, the ERK homologue is encoded by the Rolled locus (an activated allele) which has been placed downstream of Ras in the sevenless receptor kinase pathway.

ERKs are inactivated by dephosphorylation by specific protein phosphatases such as MKP1 (CL100) and PAC1. Downstream substrates include Elk1, phospholipase A2 and p90Rsk1..

ERK2 is the only enzyme in the family to have its x-ray structure solved.

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MAP Kinase Resource