p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases
| MAPK p38 α, β, γ, δ | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mass / length primary structure | 360/364/367/365 amino acids | |
| Cofactor | Mg 2+ | |
| Identifier | ||
| Gene name (s) | MAPK14 , MAPK11 , MAPK12 , MAPK13 | |
| Enzyme classification | ||
| EC, category | 2.7.11.24 , protein kinases | |
| Response type | Phosphorylation | |
| Substrate | ATP + protein | |
| Products | ADP + phosphoprotein | |
p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases ( p38 MAPK ) are a class of proteins and, like JNK, belong to the family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). They are involved in signal cascades (see in detail under MAP kinase pathway ), the triggers of which are external stimuli such as cytokines , heat shock, radiation and osmotic shock. They are also important for cell differentiation , cell growth and apoptosis .
Four paralogous isoforms are known of the p38 MAP kinase in humans , the p38-α (MAPK14), -β (MAPK11), -γ (MAPK12 or ERK6) and -δ (MAPK13 or SAPK4).