The MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) comprises a family of ubiquitous praline-directed, protein serine/threonine kinases which signal transduction pathways that control intracellular events including acute responses to hormones and major developmental changes in organisms (1). This super family consists of stress activated protein kinases (SAPKs), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), and p38 kinases, each of which forms a separate pathway (2). In particular, MAPKAP-kinase II (or otherwise known as MK2) is involved in inflammation, and is considered a target for therapeutic intervention for inflammation and cancer (3). MK2 is a member of the p38 MAPKinase pathway, and is activated by a variety of chemical stress inducers including hydrogen peroxide, heavy metals, anisomycin, sodium salicylate, LPS, and biological stress signals such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, ionizing and UV irradiation, hyperosmotic stress and chemotherapeutic drugs (3).
