Cell localization:Cytoplasm, Nucleus.The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the dual specificity protein kinase family, which acts as a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase. MAP kinases, also known as extracellµLar signal-regµLated kinases (ERKs), act as an integration point for mµLtiple biochemical signals. This protein kinase lies upstream of MAP kinases and stimµLates the enzymatic activity of MAP kinases upon wide variety of extra- and intracellµLar signals. As an essential component of MAP kinase signal transduction pathway, this kinase is involved in many cellµLar processes such as proliferation, differentiation, transcription regµLation and development. [provided by RefSeq, JµL 2008],
