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JNK signaling in apoptosis

Abstract

Jun N-terminal kinases or JNKs play a critical role in death receptor-initiated extrinsic as well as mitochondrial intrinsic apoptotic pathways. JNKs activate apoptotic signaling by the upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes through the transactivation of specific transcription factors or by directly modulating the activities of mitochondrial pro- and antiapoptotic proteins through distinct phosphorylation events. This review analyses our present understanding of the role of JNK in apoptotic signaling and the various mechanisms by which JNK promotes apoptosis.

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Acknowledgements

Studies presented in the authors' laboratories were supported by the National Institutes of Health grants CA123233 (to DND) and CA109820 (to EPR).

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Correspondence to D N Dhanasekaran.

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Dhanasekaran, D., Reddy, E. JNK signaling in apoptosis. Oncogene 27, 6245–6251 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/onc.2008.301

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