Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (also known as MAP2K, MEK, MAPKK) is a dual-specificity kinase enzyme which phosphorylates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).
MAP2K is classified as .
There are seven genes: (a.k.a. MEK1) (a.k.a. MEK2) (a.k.a. MKK3) (a.k.a. MKK4) (a.k.a. MKK5) (a.k.a. MKK6) (a.k.a. MKK7)
The activators of p38 (MKK3 and MKK6), JNK (MKK4 and MKK7), and ERK (MEK1 and MEK2) define independent MAP kinase signal transduction pathways. The acronym MEK derives from MAPK/ERK Kinase.
Role in melanoma
MEK is a member of the MAPK signaling cascade that is activated in melanoma. When MEK is inhibited, cell proliferation is blocked and apoptosis (controlled cell death) is induced.
As a drug target
A number of MEK inhibitors (particularly dual MEK1/MEK2 inhibitors) have been developed to treat various types of cancers.
See also
Signal transduction MAP kinase MAP kinase kinase kinase MAP kinase kinase kinase kinase
References
External links