REVIEW: JNK: A Key Modulator of Intracellular Signaling

S. Vlahopoulos and V. C. Zoumpourlis^*

Institute of Biological Research and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vas. Constantinou Ave., Athens 11635, Greece; fax: (3210) 725-1827; E-mail: vzub@eie.gr

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received November 18, 2003; Revision received February 20, 2004

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JNK is a family of stress activated protein kinase enzymes that is under intense study. JNK family members are involved in diverse phenomena, but the focus of research has been until now involvement of JNK in apoptosis. A great number of JNK substrates indeed play major roles in cell death. Conversely, accumulating data supports a key role of JNK substrates in cell survival and proliferation. Continuous progress is being made, while several important questions remain unanswered. Does JNK cause cancer or prevent it? This paper attempts to evaluate the role of JNK in cell physiology and describe the effects of intracellular signaling pathways that are mediated by JNK family members.

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KEY WORDS: JNK, apoptosis, inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), gene promoter, cancer

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