| Synonyms: |
ERK cascade,
ERK1 and ERK2 signaling pathway,
ERK1 and ERK2 signalling pathway,
ERK1 cascade,
ERK1/2 cascade,
ERK2 cascade,
extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) cascade,
extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 cascade,
MAPK1 cascade,
MAPK3 cascade
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| Definition: |
A MAPK cascade containing at least the ERK1 or ERK2 MAP kinases. It starts with the activation of a MAP3K, and the consecutive activation of a MPK2K and of ERK1 or ERK2. The cascade can also contain an additional tier: the upstream MAP4K. The kinases in each tier phosphorylate and activate the kinase in the downstream tier. The ERK1/ERK2 cascade is activated by mitogens, growth factors, G protein-coupled receptors, and results in cellular responses such as cell proliferation, cell differentiation and development. |