SAPK/JNK Signaling

Stress-activated protein kinases/c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases (SAPK/JNK) proteins are MAPK family members that are activated by several extracellular signals (i.e. inflammatory cytokines and growth factors) and cellular stress. When activated by cellular stress the SAPK/JNK pathway induces cell death by apoptosis. The SAPK/JNK pathway also plays a physiological role in embryonic development by regulating cell survival, apoptosis, and proliferation.