MAPKAP-2, Mitogen-activated protein

MAPKAP-K MAPK-activated protein kinase MNK mitogen-activated protein kinase-interacting kinase MSK mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase PRAK p38-regulated/activated protein kinase RSK 90kDa-ribosomal S6 kinase. 

Another issue for construct optimization efforts is done for mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase-2 (MAPKAP-2). Screening of 20 protein constructs with different N- and C-terminal ends leads to an NMR-feasible kinase. In this case, the protein expression yield of the different constructs is of minor importance the major goal to achieve is a properly folded protein with long-term stability during the recording of the NMR spectra. 

MAPKAP kinase 2 (MK2) plays a key role in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-a. MK2 is activated by the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase p38 [1-3]. Activated MK2 phosphorylates a number of target proteins in immune cells resulting in cytokine production and cellular proliferation and activation. Mice lacking MK2 are healthy and fertile, but they fail to increase production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-a, lL-6, and IFN-y [4] in response to stimuli such as lipopolysaccharide. MK2 knockout mice are resistant to the development of collagen-induced arthritis, a model for human rheumatoid arthritis [5]. The catalytic activity of MK2 is required to mount the pro-inflammatory response [6]. These and related studies have attracted attention to MK2 as a target for the design of therapeutic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and other TNF-a-driven diseases. 

Stokoe D, Campbell DG, Nakielny S, Hidaka H, Leevers SJ, Marshall C, Cohen P MAPKAP kinase-2 a novel protein kinase activated by mitogen-activated protein kinase. EMBO J 1992, 11(11) 3985—3994. 

JR, Lippke JA Structure of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase-activated Protein (MAPKAP) Kinase 2 suggests a bifunctional switch that couples kinase activation with nuclear export. 2002, 277 37401—37405. 

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