Description
Protocol
Available protocols: ELISA+
Specificity / Sensitivity
The FastScan™ Total p44/42 MAPK (Erk1/2) ELISA Kit detects endogenous levels of p44/42 MAPK (Erk1/2) as shown in Figure 1. This kit detects proteins from the indicated species, as determined through in-house testing, but may also detect homologous proteins from other species.
Species Reactivity: Human, Mouse, Rat, Monkey
Background
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a widely conserved family of serine/threonine protein kinases involved in many cellular programs, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, motility, and death. The p44/42 MAPK (Erk1/2) signaling pathway can be activated in response to a diverse range of extracellular stimuli, including mitogens, growth factors, and cytokines (1-3), and research investigators consider it an important target in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer (4). Upon stimulation, a sequential three-part protein kinase cascade is initiated, consisting of a MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK or MAP3K), a MAP kinase kinase (MAPKK or MAP2K), and a MAP kinase (MAPK). Multiple p44/42 MAP3Ks have been identified, including members of the Raf family, as well as Mos and Tpl2/COT. MEK1 and MEK2 are the primary MAPKKs in this pathway (5,6). MEK1 and MEK2 activate p44 and p42 through phosphorylation of activation loop residues Thr202/Tyr204 and Thr185/Tyr187, respectively. Several downstream targets of p44/42 have been identified, including p90RSK (7) and the transcription factor Elk-1 (8,9). p44/42 are negatively regulated by a family of dual-specificity (Thr/Tyr) MAPK phosphatases, known as DUSPs or MKPs (10), along with MEK inhibitors, such as U0126 and PD98059.
Alternate Names
ERK; ERK-1; ERK-2; ERK1; ERK2; ERT1; ERT2; Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1; Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2; extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2; extracellular signal-related kinase 1; HS44KDAP; HUMKER1A; Insulin-stimulated MAP2 kinase; MAP kinase 1; MAP kinase 2; MAP kinase 3; MAP kinase isoform p42; MAP kinase isoform p44; MAPK 1; MAPK 2; MAPK 3; MAPK1; MAPK2; MAPK3; MGC20180; Microtubule-associated protein 2 kinase; Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1; Mitogen-activated protein kinase 2; Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3; MK01; MK03; p38; p40; p41; p41mapk; p42-MAPK; P42MAPK; p44-ERK1; p44-MAPK; P44ERK1; P44MAPK; PRKM1; PRKM2; PRKM3; protein tyrosine kinase ERK2
