Biological process

MAPK8 cascade, c-Jun N-terminal kinase cascade

A MAPK cascade containing at least the JNK (MAPK8) MAP kinase. It starts with the activation of JUN3K (a MAPK3K), which activates JNKK a MAP2K), which in turn activates JNK. The cascade can also contain an additional tier: the upstream MAP4K. The kinases in each tier phosphorylate and activate the kinases in the downstream tier. The JNK cascade is activated by stress signals, as well as by G protein-coupled receptors, growth factors, and cytokines, and results in cellular responses such as cell proliferation, cell differentiation, apoptosis and inflammation.