The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the
MAP kinase family. MAP kinases, also known as
extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), act as an integration point for multiple biochemical signals, and are involved in a wide variety of cellular processes such as
proliferation,
differentiation, transcription regulation and development. The activation of this
kinase requires its
phosphorylation by upstream
kinases. Upon activation, this kinase translocates to the
nucleus of the stimulated cells, where it
phosphorylates nuclear targets. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding the same protein, but differing in the
UTRs, have been reported for this gene. MAPK1 contains multiple amino acid sites that are phosphorylated and ubiquitinated. == Interactions ==