ERK1/2 (pT202/pY204) Phospho-Specific/p44/42 MAPK Mouse, Unlabeled, Clone: 20A, BD

The members of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) family are components of a key signal transduction cascade that links events at the cell surface to responses in the nucleus. The signaling cascade is found in species as varied as yeast and humans, with many of the proteins being well conserved. In mammals the most widely studied members of the cascade are the Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinases, ERK1 (p44 MAPK) and ERK2 (p42 MAPK). ERK1 and ERK2 share 85% homology and are activated by extracellular signals such as growth factors, hormones, and phorbol esters. Activation occurs through a series of phosphorylations by kinases activating other kinases and eventually leading to phosphorylation of the ERKs. Growth factor stimulation leads to activation of Ras and Raf, leading to phosphorylation of MEK1 (MAPK/ERK kinase) which, in turn, activates the ERKs via dual phosphorylation. Once activated, the ERKs phosphorylate other cytoplasmic signalling molecules, cell-surface receptors, microtubule-associated proteins, and transcription factors in the nucleus. Thus, the active ERK has myriad downstream effectors that implicate it in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as regulation of the cytoskeleton. Furthermore, studies have shown that elevated ERK activity is associated with some cancers.

Immunofluorescence, Intracellular Staining, Western Blotting