Kinase Subfamily MEK5

Kinase Classification: Group STE: Family STE7: Subfamily MEK5

MEK5 phosphorylates ERK5 as part of the ERK5-variant MAPK pathway

Evolution

MEK5 is found as a single copy, only in animals. It is secondarily lost from most insects and nematodes, along with its pathway members, MEK5 and MEKK2. Vertebrates have a single copy, known as MEK5, MAPKK5, or MAP2K5.

Domain Structure

MEK5 kinases have an N-terminal PB1 domain that mediates dimerization with the upstream MEKK2 kinases, and a C-terminal kinase domain.

Functions

MEK5 is tightly linked to the activation of ERK5. See the ERK5 article for more information on functions of this cascade.