Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP2K2 gene. [5] It is more commonly known as MEK2, but has many alternative names including CFC4, MKK2, MAPKK2 and PRKMK2. [6]
The protein encoded by this gene is a dual specificity protein kinase that belongs to the MAP kinase kinase family. This kinase is known to play a critical role in mitogen growth factor signal transduction. It phosphorylates and thus activates MAPK1/ERK2 and MAPK3/ERK1.
The activation of this kinase itself is dependent on the Ser/Thr phosphorylation by MAP kinase kinase kinases.
The inhibition or degradation of this kinase is found to be involved in the pathogenesis of Yersinia and anthrax. [7]
MAP2K2 has been shown to interact with MAPK3 [8] [9] [10] and ARAF. [11]