Cell localization:Cytoplasm, Nucleus.The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the MAP kinase family. MAP kinases act as an integration point for mµLtiple biochemical signals, and are involved in a wide variety of cellµLar processes such as proliferation, differentiation, transcription regµLation and development. This kinase is specifically activated by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 5 (MAP2K5/MEK5). It is involved in the downstream signaling processes of various receptor molecµLes including receptor type kinases, and G protein-coupled receptors. In response to extracelluar signals, this kinase translocates to cell nucleus, where it regµLates gene expression by phosphorylating, and activating different transcription factors. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene encoding two distinct isoforms have been reported. [provided by RefSeq, JµL 2008],
