Abstract
The signaling pathway of the microtubule-associated protein kinase or extracellular regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) is a common mechanism of extracellular information transduction from extracellular stimuli to the intracellular space. The transduction of information leads to changes in the ongoing metabolic pathways and the modification of gene expression patterns. In the central nervous system, ERK is expressed ubiquitously, both temporally and spatially. As for the temporal ubiquity, this signaling system participates in three key moments: (i) Embryonic development; (ii) the early postnatal period; and iii) adulthood. During embryonic development, the system is partly responsible for the patterning of segmentation in the encephalic vesicle through the FGF8-ERK pathway. In addition, during this period, ERK directs neurogenesis migration and the final fate of neural progenitors. During the early postnatal period, ERK participates in the maturation process of dendritic trees and synaptogenesis. During adulthood, ERK participates in social and emotional behavior and memory processes, including long-term potentiation. Alterations in mechanisms related to ERK are associated with different pathological outcomes. Genetic alterations in any component of the ERK pathway result in pathologies associated with neural crest derivatives and mental dysfunctions associated with autism spectrum disorders. The MAP-ERK pathway is a key element of the neuroinflammatory pathway triggered by glial cells during the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as prionic diseases. The process triggered by MAPK/ERK activation depends on the stage of development (mature or senescence), the type of cellular element in which the pathway is activated, and the anatomic neural structure. However, extensive gaps exist with regards to the targets of the phosphorylated ERK in many of these processes.
Highlights
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily is a cell-mediated signaling pathway which connects inputs to the cell, with modifications in gene expressions leading to changes in the cellular phenotype
Recent studies support the critical role of MAPK/extracellular regulated kinases (ERKs) signaling in metabolism, where this pathway intervenes in the regulation of cell metabolism, since alterations in MAPK/ERK signaling are associated with metabolic syndrome [184]
The MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in the central nervous system participates at two different stages: Throughout development and in adulthood
Summary
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily is a cell-mediated signaling pathway which connects inputs to the cell, with modifications in gene expressions leading to changes in the cellular phenotype. The MAPK/ERK pathway subserves mechanisms of the transmission of cellular signal and plastic changes, including those related to learning and memory processes. The shift between these two stages has not yet been analyzed in detail. It has been found that the growth factor induction of ERK activation during development maintains proliferation differentiation and the survival of neural cells, while the withdrawal of growth factors activates p38 and JNK pathways that lead to apoptosis mechanisms [31,32,44] These effects could be mediated through mutual interactions with myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) or death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK), which participate in activating apoptotic mechanisms in anoxic conditions [45,46,47]. Especially those targeting the ERK2 gene in a conditional way, an altered phenotype with disrupted emotional and social relationships is evident [4,58] (Figure 2)
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