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.

Control of activity

As part of the ERK5 cascade, MEK5 is phosphorylated and activated by kinases MEKK2 subfamily kinases..

Functions

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