Extracellular signal-regulated kinases

Of the family of extracellular signal - regulated kinases, ERK short, eight isoforms of this enzyme are known to date, which are designated by ERK 1-8. They belong to the mitogen-activated kinases ( MAPKs ) and are in accordance with their modified groups to the serine / threonine kinases.

The intracellular signal transduction via the ERK cascade is activated by various extracellular signals, and in turn regulates cellular processes such as cell proliferation and cell differentiation. Since this involves fundamental cell biological processes that may affect different areas of the human organism, the influence of these enzymes is studied in various fields of medical research.

Cancer research has demonstrated that ERK is involved in the oncogenic transformation of cells, i.e. to the change of normal cells to cancer cells. By inhibiting ERK with specific agents, the course of epilepsy could be positively influenced in animal studies in rats, which may be new therapeutic approaches are possible. Also in rats has been demonstrated in relation to the cocaine addiction that activation of ERK in certain areas of the brain increased the desire for the drug, a blockade of ERK activation, however, declined the request.