MAPK signaling pathway

The p53 protein can functionally interact with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, including the stress-activated protein kinase [SAPK/c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)], the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and the extracellular signal related kinase (ERK). Upon exposure to stressful stimuli, MAP kinases phosphorylate and activate p53, leading to p53-mediated cellular responses. The role of p53 as an upstream activator to regulate MAPK signaling via the transcriptional activation of members of the dual specificity phosphatase family. Because both the p53 and MAPK signaling pathways are altered in the majority of human tumors, understanding their functional interaction may provide new insights into the deregulated cell proliferation and survival that is characteristic of cancer.