ASK1

ASK1 (Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MAP3K5 gene. ASK1 is a member of the MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) family, which plays a key role in the induction of apoptosis.

Function

ASK1 is activated by various molecular events such as oxidative stress, and upon activation, ASK1 activates the JNK and p38 MAP kinase pathways by phosphorylating and activating several MAP kinase kinases, which in turn activate the MAP kinases. The activation of ASK1 leads to the activation of a signaling cascade that culminates in apoptosis.

Clinical significance

Alterations in the ASK1 signaling pathway have been implicated in a variety of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. In cancer, ASK1 has been shown to be a tumor suppressor, and its loss of function is associated with tumor progression. In neurodegenerative diseases, ASK1 activation has been linked to neuronal cell death. In cardiovascular diseases, ASK1 activation is associated with cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.

See also

• Mitogen-activated protein kinase
• Apoptosis
• MAP kinase

External links

• MAP3K5 gene at NCBI
• ASK1 protein at UniProt