JNK
JNK (mitogen-activated protein kinase 8, encoded by MAPK8) is a serine/threonine kinase of the MAP kinase family that integrates multiple cell signals and targets specific transcription factors. It is also known as JNK1, SAPK1 and PRKM8. Browse Assay Genie's current range of JNK research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
JNK is a member of the MAP kinase family, whose members act as an integration point for multiple biochemical signals. MAP kinases are involved in a wide variety of cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, transcription regulation and development. JNK is activated by various cell stimuli and targets specific transcription factors, and in this way it mediates immediate-early gene expression in response to those stimuli.
The JNK protein belongs to the protein kinase superfamily, the CMGC Ser/Thr protein kinase family and the MAP kinase subfamily, and it is classed by HGNC in the mitogen-activated protein kinase 8-10 (JNK) family. UniProt records its localisation in the cytoplasm, the nucleus and the synapse. The MAPK8 gene gives rise to several alternatively spliced transcript variants that encode distinct isoforms. The JNK1 isoforms differ in their binding patterns: beta-1 preferentially binds c-Jun, whereas alpha-1, alpha-2 and beta-2 show a similar, low level of binding to both c-Jun and ATF2. Binding does not correlate with phosphorylation, which all isoforms achieve at about the same efficiency.
JNK has a defined role in cell death signalling. Its activation by tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is required for TNF-alpha induced apoptosis, and it is also involved in UV radiation induced apoptosis, which is thought to relate to the cytochrome c-mediated cell death pathway. Studies of the mouse counterpart, Mapk8, suggest that the kinase plays a key role in T cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation.
JNK activation is required for TNF-alpha induced apoptosis and is involved in UV radiation induced, cytochrome c-linked cell death.
JNK targets specific transcription factors, such as c-Jun and ATF2, and mediates immediate-early gene expression in response to cell stimuli.
Mouse studies suggest that JNK plays a key role in T cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation.
As an integration point for multiple biochemical signals, JNK helps to link stimuli to proliferation, differentiation and development.
JNK is a MAP kinase that is activated by various cell stimuli and phosphorylates specific transcription factors, thereby mediating immediate-early gene expression. It is required for TNF-alpha induced apoptosis and is also involved in UV radiation induced apoptosis.
The gene symbol is MAPK8, and aliases include JNK, JNK1, SAPK1 and PRKM8. Alternative splicing produces distinct isoforms, including alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1 and beta-2, which differ in their binding to c-Jun and ATF2 but phosphorylate at similar efficiency.
Yes. Mouse and rat both have a Mapk8 ortholog. Studies of the mouse gene point to a key role for this kinase in T cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other MAP kinases, MAPK-activated protein kinases and JNK-interacting proteins with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P45983; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.