View source for Erk

Erk, is a [[MAP kinase|MAP kinase]] which is activated by [[Mek|Mek]] ([[MAPKK|MAPKK]]) by [[Phosphorylation|phosphorylation]]&nbsp;and is involved in the&nbsp;Ras signalling pathway. Erk uses [[ATP|ATP]] to phosphorylate different [[Proteins|proteins]] involved in [[Gene|gene]] expression which activates [[Transcription|transcription]]. This is part of a downstream signal - a phosphorylation cascade - beginning with a signal [[Molecule|molecule]] activating a receptor protein in the membrane <ref>Alberts et al, 2008, Molecular Biology of the cell, 5th edition, New York, Garland Science</ref>.Other than Erk and Mek there is a third MAP kinase called [[Raf|Raf]] that activates Mek. Once each MAP kinase is used it is deactivated by [[Phosphatase|phosphatase]] (removes phosphate).<br> 

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