Role of extracellular signal regulated kinases 1 and 2 in neuronal survival

• Published in: European journal of biochemistry Vol. 271; no. 11; pp. 2050 - 2055
• Main Authors: Hetman, Michal, Gozdz, Agata
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.06.2004
• Subjects: Animals; apoptosis; Cell Survival; DNA Damage; MAP Kinase Signaling System; MAP‐kinase; Mice; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 - physiology; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases - physiology; neurons; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - drug effects; Neurons - enzymology; neuroprotection; programmed cell death; signal transduction; survival
• ISSN: 0014-2956; 1432-1033
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.2004.04133.x

Extracellular signal regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) regulate cellular responses to a variety of extracellular stimuli. In the nervous system, ERK1/2 is critical for neuronal differentiation, plasticity and may also modulate neuronal survival. In this minireview, we present evidence that supports prosurvival activity of ERK1/2 in neurons. Several reports suggest that ERK1/2 mediates neuroprotective activity of extracellular factors, including neurotrophins. In addition, ERK1/2 is activated by neuronal injury. In damaged cells, ERK1/2 activation may act as a defensive mechanism that helps to compensate for the deleterious effects of a damaging insult. The emerging mechanisms of ERK1/2‐mediated neuroprotection may involve transcriptional regulation and/or direct inhibition of cell death machinery.