MAPKSP1 Human

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathways are crucial for transmitting signals from the cell surface to the nucleus, influencing various cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Scaffold proteins play a pivotal role in these pathways by organizing and coordinating the interactions between different kinases, ensuring specificity and efficiency in signal transduction.

MAPK Scaffold Protein 1, also known as MP1, is a key component in the MAPK signaling pathway. It functions by binding to multiple kinases within the pathway, facilitating their interactions and enhancing the specificity of the signal transduction process .

The structure of MP1 has been extensively studied. It forms a complex with its partner protein, p14, which localizes the complex to late endosomes . The MP1-p14 complex is characterized by a five-stranded β-sheet flanked by helices, forming a heterodimer that interacts through the edge β-strand in each protein to generate a 10-stranded β-sheet core . This structural arrangement allows MP1 to be involved in multiple and simultaneous protein-protein interactions, enhancing its role in signal transduction.

MP1 enhances the specificity of the MAPK signaling pathway by forming an active signaling module. This module ensures that the signal is transduced efficiently and accurately, preventing cross-talk with other signaling pathways . The localization of the MP1-p14 complex to late endosomes is critical for its function, as it allows the complex to interact with specific signaling kinases such as MEK1 and ERK1 .

Human recombinant MP1 is used in various research applications to study the MAPK signaling pathway. By using recombinant proteins, researchers can investigate the specific interactions and functions of MP1 in a controlled environment. This helps in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying MAPK signaling and its role in various cellular processes.