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Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase

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Through Enzyme and Phosphorylation

MAP2K is classified as EC 2.7.12.2.

There are seven genes:

  • MAP2K1 (a.k.a. MEK1)
  • MAP2K2 (a.k.a. MEK2)
  • MAP2K3 (a.k.a. MKK3)
  • MAP2K4 (a.k.a. MKK4)
  • MAP2K5 (a.k.a. MKK5)
  • MAP2K6 (a.k.a. MKK6)
  • MAP2K7 (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.

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