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MAPK Pathway

Meaning

The Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Pathway is a ubiquitous and evolutionarily conserved intracellular signaling cascade that transduces diverse extracellular stimuli, such as growth factors and hormones, into a coordinated cellular response. This pathway is a phosphorylation cascade, meaning that a series of protein kinases sequentially activate one another, ultimately leading to the phosphorylation of transcription factors and other target proteins. It is crucial for regulating fundamental cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, and survival.