Biomaterial Database

Stress-activated protein kinases-tumor suppressors or tumor initiators? 2004

David Engelberg

Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel. engelber@mail.ls.huji.ac.il

The biology and the pathology of the stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs; p38s and c-Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinases (JNKs)) are somewhat confusing. In some systems, these enzymes augment cell proliferation whereas in other cells they support growth arrest and tumor suppressing activity. Similarly, in some types of cancer SAPKs' activity is suppressed while in others SAPKs seem to be an essential part of the transformative machinery. Revealing the role of SAPKs in cancer is important for planning an appropriate therapeutic strategy. Here, I describe the data supporting the role of SAPKs as tumor suppressors in some systems and as pro-oncogenic in others. Possible resolutions for the paradox of stress kinases are also discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009369	Neoplasms	New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms.	Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D002273	Carcinogens	Substances that increase the risk of NEOPLASMS in humans or animals. Both genotoxic chemicals, which affect DNA directly, and nongenotoxic chemicals, which induce neoplasms by other mechanism, are included.	Carcinogen,Oncogen,Oncogens,Tumor Initiator,Tumor Initiators,Tumor Promoter,Tumor Promoters,Initiator, Tumor,Initiators, Tumor,Promoter, Tumor,Promoters, Tumor
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D048031	JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases	A subgroup of mitogen-activated protein kinases that activate TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR AP-1 via the phosphorylation of C-JUN PROTEINS. They are components of intracellular signaling pathways that regulate CELL PROLIFERATION; APOPTOSIS; and CELL DIFFERENTIATION.	jun N-Terminal Kinase,c-jun Amino-Terminal Kinase,c-jun N-Terminal Kinase,jun-NH2-Terminal Kinase,jun-NH2-Terminal Kinases,Amino-Terminal Kinase, c-jun,JNK Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases,Kinase, jun N-Terminal,N-Terminal Kinase, c-jun,N-Terminal Kinase, jun,c jun Amino Terminal Kinase,c jun N Terminal Kinase,jun N Terminal Kinase,jun NH2 Terminal Kinase,jun NH2 Terminal Kinases
D048051	p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases	A mitogen-activated protein kinase subfamily that regulates a variety of cellular processes including CELL GROWTH PROCESSES; CELL DIFFERENTIATION; APOPTOSIS; and cellular responses to INFLAMMATION. The P38 MAP kinases are regulated by CYTOKINE RECEPTORS and can be activated in response to bacterial pathogens.	Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase p38,p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase,p38 MAP Kinase,p38 MAPK,p38 Protein Kinase,p38 SAPK,MAP Kinase, p38,MAPK, p38,Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase p38,Protein Kinase, p38,p38 Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase,p38 Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases
D025521	Tumor Suppressor Proteins	Proteins that are normally involved in holding cellular growth in check. Deficiencies or abnormalities in these proteins may lead to unregulated cell growth and tumor development.	Growth Suppressor Proteins,Metastasis Suppressor Protein,Metastasis Suppressor Proteins,Tumor Suppressor Protein,Protein, Metastasis Suppressor,Protein, Tumor Suppressor,Proteins, Growth Suppressor,Proteins, Metastasis Suppressor,Proteins, Tumor Suppressor,Suppressor Protein, Metastasis,Suppressor Protein, Tumor