Open AccessMnk kinases in cytokine signaling and regulation of cytokine responses
Author(s) -
Sonali Joshi,
Leonidas C. Platanias
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
biomolecular concepts
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1868-503X
pISSN - 1868-5021
DOI - 10.1515/bmc-2011-1057
Subject(s) - p38 mitogen activated protein kinases , cytokine , kinase , microbiology and biotechnology , signal transduction , biology , effector , mapk/erk pathway , cytokine receptor , phosphorylation , immunology
The kinases Mnk1 and Mnk2 are activated downstream of the p38 MAPK and MEK/ERK signaling pathways. Extensive work over the years has shown that these kinases control phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E and regulate engagement of other effector elements, including hnRNPA1 and PSF. Mnk kinases are ubiquitously expressed and play critical roles in signaling for various cytokine receptors, and there is emerging evidence that they have important functions as mediators of proinflammatory cytokine production. In this review, the mechanisms of activation of MNK pathways by cytokine receptors are addressed and their roles in diverse cytokine-dependent biological processes are reviewed. The clinical-translational implications of such work and the relevance of future development of specific MNK inhibitors for the treatment of malignancies and autoimmune disorders are discussed.