MAP4K2 Protein, Human (sf9, His-GST)

MAP4K2, a serine/threonine-protein kinase, serves as an integral component in the MAP kinase signal transduction pathway, functioning as a MAPK kinase kinase kinase (MAP4K). It acts as a crucial upstream activator primarily for the stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAP/JNK) signaling pathway, and to a lesser extent, for the p38 MAPKs signaling pathway. MAP4K2 is essential for the efficient activation of JNKs in response to TRAF6-dependent stimuli, including various pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as polyinosine-polycytidine (poly(IC)), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), lipid A, peptidoglycan (PGN), and bacterial flagellin. Additionally, it contributes to JNKs activation in response to IL-1 and engagement of CD40. Notably, MAP4K2 plays a prominent role in LPS signaling, impacting c-Jun phosphorylation and IL-8 induction. Furthermore, it enhances the oligomerization of MAP3K1, potentially relieving N-terminal mediated MAP3K1 autoinhibition and facilitating activation through autophosphorylation. MAP4K2 also mediates the SAP/JNK signaling pathway and the p38 MAPKs signaling pathway by activating the MAP3Ks MAP3K10/MLK2 and MAP3K11/MLK3. Its involvement may extend to the regulation of vesicle targeting or fusion.