Involvement of mixed lineage kinase 3 in cancer.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways are composed of a phosphorelay signaling module where an activated MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) phosphorylates and activates a MAPK kinase (MAP2K) that in turn phosphorylates and activates a MAPK. The biological outcome of MAPK signaling is the regulation of cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. The MAP3K mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) phosphorylates MAP2Ks to activate multiple MAPK signaling pathways, and MLK3 also has functions in cell signaling that are independent of its kinase activity. The recent elucidation of essential functions for MLK3 in tumour cell proliferation, migration, and invasion has drawn attention to the MLKs as potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatments. The mounting evidence that suggests a role for MLK3 in tumourigenesis and establishment of the malignant phenotype is the focus of this review.