Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP3K12 gene. [5] [6]
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of serine/threonine protein kinase family. This kinase contains a leucine-zipper domain, and is predominately expressed in neuronal cells. The phosphorylation state of this kinase in synaptic terminals was shown to be regulated by membrane depolarization via calcineurin. This kinase forms heterodimers with leucine zipper containing transcription factors, such as cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) and MYC, and thus may play a regulatory role in PKA or retinoic acid induced neuronal differentiation. [6]
MAP3K12 has been shown to interact with MAPK8IP1, [7] MAP2K7 [8] and MAPK8IP2. [7]
MAP3K12, otherwise known as DLK, can initiate coordinated signalling cascades that culminate in the phosphorylation of C-Jun N-terminal kinases or JNK. Several experiments have implicated this interaction as having a role in the developing mammalian nervous system. [9] For example, neuronal migration and axon growth are critical components of neuronal development. DLK null mice have defects in neuronal migration, hypoplasia of several different axonal tracts and reduced axon number in various areas of the brain such as the cingulum and internal capsule. [9] In addition, inhibition of DLK or JNK delays radial migration and disrupts the formation of the neocortex in mice. [9] Another important function of the developing mammalian nervous system is neuronal apoptosis. The absence of DLK also protects cultured mice sensory neurons from apoptosis that would normally be triggered by a lack of NGF. [9] This, among other experiments, heavily implicates it as having a role in neuronal apoptosis.
DLK has several different interactions that contribute to mammalian nervous system development. For axon growth, DLK phosphorylates MAP2K4/7 which then phosphorylates JNK, activating it. [9] In neuronal migration DLK phosphorylates MAP2K4/7 which phosphorylates JNK, and also interacts with JIP which then interacts with MAP2K4/7 and JNK. [9] There is a similar interaction for neuronal apoptosis, where DLK phosphorylates JIP3 and MAP2K7, which both phosphorylate JNK. [9] It is evident then that DLK interactions are a versatile and critical part of neuronal development in mammals.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1, also known as ERK2, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAPK1 gene.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 is a ubiquitous enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAPK8 gene.
Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP2K1 gene.
Dual-specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP2K4 gene.
Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP2K3 gene.
C-jun-amino-terminal kinase-interacting protein 1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAPK8IP1 gene.
Cyclic AMP-dependent transcription factor ATF-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ATF1 gene.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 11 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP3K11 gene.
Serine/threonine-protein kinase N1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PKN1 gene.
Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7, also known as MAP kinase kinase 7 or MKK7, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP2K7 gene. This protein is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase family. The MKK7 protein exists as six different isoforms with three possible N-termini and two possible C-termini.
Sterile alpha motif and leucine zipper containing kinase AZK, also known as ZAK, is a human gene.
C-jun-amino-terminal kinase-interacting protein 3 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAPK8IP3 gene.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 4 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP3K4 gene.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 10 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP3K10 gene.
C-jun-amino-terminal kinase-interacting protein 2 is a protein or the name of the gene that encodes it. The gene is also known as Islet-Brain-2 (IB2).
Dual specificity protein phosphatase 16 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the DUSP16 gene.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 9 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP3K9 gene.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase 11 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAPK11 gene.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase 10 also known as c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAPK10 gene.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 13 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP3K13 gene.