mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a group of enzymes that transmit signals inside cells to regulate important processes like growth, division, and response to stress. They act like molecular messengers, activated by external signals such as hormones or stressors, and then relay messages by adding phosphate groups to specific proteins. This cascade ultimately influences cellular activities and ensures proper functioning. MAPKs are essential for normal cell behavior and help cells adapt to their environment, playing critical roles in development, immune responses, and, when malfunctioning, disease progression like cancer.