ERK2/MAPK1

ERK2 (MAPK1) is the 42 kDa workhorse of the classical MAP kinase cascade and the more abundant of the ERK pair. Activated by MEK1/2-mediated phosphorylation of Thr185 and Tyr187 within its TEY motif, it signals through docking-site interactions with substrates and regulators, phosphorylating transcription factors such as Elk-1 and c-Fos, kinases such as RSK and MNK, and cytoplasmic targets that control proliferation, differentiation, and survival. ERK2 is essential for embryonic development, and its pathway is constitutively activated by RAS and RAF mutations in a large fraction of cancers. Recombinant ERK2 is widely used for kinase assays, substrate screening, and ERK-pathway inhibitor characterization.