Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 (MAPK1), also known as Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 2 (ERK2), is a crucial component of the MAP kinase signal transduction pathway. This pathway is involved in various cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, transcription regulation, and development . Recombinant Human MAPK1 with a His tag is a modified version of the protein that is produced using recombinant DNA technology and includes a polyhistidine tag (His tag) for purification purposes.
MAPK1 is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a pivotal role in the MAPK/ERK cascade. This cascade is activated by various extracellular signals, leading to the phosphorylation and activation of MAPK1. Upon activation, MAPK1 translocates to the nucleus, where it phosphorylates various nuclear targets, influencing gene expression and cellular responses .
The His tag, typically consisting of six histidine residues, is added to the C-terminal or N-terminal end of the protein. This tag facilitates the purification of the recombinant protein using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), which exploits the affinity of histidine residues for divalent metal ions like nickel or cobalt.
The production of recombinant MAPK1 involves several steps:
Recombinant Human MAPK1, His tag, is widely used in research to study the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. It is utilized in various applications, including: