A family of protein kinases located upstream of the MAP kinases and responsible for their activation has been identified. The prototype member of this family, designated MAP kinase kinase, or MEK-1, specifically phosphorylates the MAP kinase regulatory threonine and tyrosine residues present in the Thr-Glu-Tyr motif of ERK. A second MEK family member, MEK-2, resembles MEK-1 in its substrate specificity. MEK-3 (or MKK-3) functions to activate p38 MAP kinase, and MEK-4 (also called SEK1 or MKK-4) activates both p38 and JNK MAP kinases. MEK-5 appears to specifically phosphorylate ERK5, whereas MEK-6 phosphorylates p38 and p38b. MEK-7 (or MKK-7) phosphorylates and activates the JNK signal transduction pathway.
Background References
1. Huang Y et al. MAVS-MKK7-JNK2 defines a novel apoptotic signaling pathway during viral infection. PLoS Pathog 10:e1004020 (2014).
2. Lee CS et al. MEK2 is sufficient but not necessary for proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells. PLoS One 6:e17165 (2011).
Sequence Similarity
Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. STE Ser/Thr protein kinase family. MAP kinase kinase subfamily.
Tissue Specificity
Ubiquitous; with highest level of expression in skeletal muscle. Isoform 3 is found at low levels in placenta, fetal liver, and skeletal muscle.
Post-translational Modification
Activated by phosphorylation on Ser-271 and Thr-275 by MAP kinase kinase kinases (MAP3Ks).
Western blot analysis of MEK7 on different lysates with Rabbit anti-MEK7 antibody (ET1612-35) at 1/1,000 dilution.
Lane 1: HeLa (Human cervical adenocarcinoma cell) cell lysate Lane 2: 293T (Human embryonic kidney cell) cell lysate Lane 3: A431 (Human epidermoid carcinoma skin squamous cell) cell lysate Lane 4: Caco-2 (Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell) cell lysate Lane 5: A549 (Human lung adenocarcinoma cell) cell lysate
Lysates/proteins at 20 µg/Lane. Exposure time: 8 seconds; ECL: K1801
Blocking: 5% NFDM/TBST, 1 hour at room temperature Primary antibody: ET1612-35, 1/1,000 in 5% NFDM/TBST, overnight at 4 ℃ Secondary antibody: Goat anti-Rabbit IgG-HRP (HA1001), 1/50,000 in 5% NFDM/TBST, 1 hour at room temperature
Predicted band size: 47 kDa Observed band size: 47 kDa
☑ Knockdown (KD)
Western blot analysis of MEK7 on different lysates with Rabbit anti-MEK7 antibody (ET1612-35) at 1/1,000 dilution.
Lane 1: A549-WT cell lysate Lane 2: A549-KD MEK7 cell lysate
Lysates/proteins at 10 µg/Lane.
Predicted band size: 47 kDa Observed band size: 47 kDa
Exposure time: 3 minutes; ECL: K1801;
4-20% SDS-PAGE gel.
Proteins were transferred to a PVDF membrane and blocked with 5% NFDM/TBST for 1 hour at room temperature. The primary antibody (ET1612-35) at 1/1,000 dilution was used in 2% NFDM/TBST at 4℃ overnight. Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG - HRP Secondary Antibody (HA1001) at 1/50,000 dilution was used for 1 hour at room temperature.
ICC staining MEK7 in Hela cells (green). The nuclear counter stain is DAPI (blue). Cells were fixed in paraformaldehyde, permeabilised with 0.25% Triton X100/PBS.
ICC staining MEK7 in SHG-44 cells (green). The nuclear counter stain is DAPI (blue). Cells were fixed in paraformaldehyde, permeabilised with 0.25% Triton X100/PBS.
ICC staining MEK7 in SH-SY-5Y cells (green). The nuclear counter stain is DAPI (blue). Cells were fixed in paraformaldehyde, permeabilised with 0.25% Triton X100/PBS.
Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded rat bladder tissue using anti-MEK7 antibody. Counter stained with hematoxylin.
Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded mouse bladder tissue using anti-MEK7 antibody. Counter stained with hematoxylin.
Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded rat brain tissue using anti-MEK7 antibody. Counter stained with hematoxylin.
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