Regulation of the MAP kinase cascade.

The MAP kinase cascade is regulated by many hormones and growth factors and its activation leads to changes in properties of cytoplasmic, membrane-associated, and nuclear proteins. The MAP kinases themselves are activated by MEKS. MEKs lie at a point of convergence for multiple upstream signals, mediated by distinct protein kinases, Raf, MEK kinase, and Mos, all of which have MEK kinase activity. Additional inputs that stimulate the MAP kinase pathway are the activation of protein kinase C and the yeast protein kinase STE20. Mechanisms of regulation of some of the upstream components of this cascade have not yet been fully elucidated.