| Modification Notes |
Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are a large class of proteins involved in signal transduction pathways that are activated by a range of stimuli and mediate a number of physiological and pathological changes in the cell. Dual specificity phosphatases (DSPs) are a subclass of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) gene superfamily, which are selective for dephosphorylating critical phosphothreonine and phosphotyrosine residues within MAP kinases. DSP gene expression is induced by a host of growth factors and/or cellular stresses, thereby negatively regulating MAP kinase superfamily members including MAPK/ERK, SAPK/JNK and p38. DUSP8 inactivates SAPK/JNK and p38, is expressed predominantly in the adult brain, heart, and skeletal muscle. It localizes in the cytoplasm, and is induced by nerve growth factor and insulin. DUSP8 may play a role in pathophysiological mechanisms leading to development of alcohol dependence. |