| 2004 |
ERK3 specifically interacts with and phosphorylates MAPK-activated protein kinase 5 (MK5/PRAK), activating it both in vitro and in vivo. This interaction causes nuclear exclusion of both ERK3 and MK5. Endogenous MK5 activity is reduced by siRNA-mediated knockdown of ERK3 and in ERK3-/- mouse fibroblasts. Reciprocally, MK5 depletion causes dramatic reduction in endogenous ERK3 levels, suggesting MK5 acts as a chaperone for ERK3. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, in vitro kinase assay, siRNA knockdown, ERK3-/- mouse fibroblasts, PC12 cell differentiation model |
The EMBO journal |
High |
15577943
|
| 2004 |
ERK3 specifically interacts with MK5 in vitro and in vivo; ERK3 expression drives nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation and activation of MK5. Activation of MK5 is independent of ERK3 enzymatic activity but depends on MK5's own catalytic activity and a region in ERK3's C-terminal extension. Deletion of MK5 leads to strong reduction of ERK3 protein levels. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, mammalian cell expression, kinase-dead ERK3 mutants, MK5 knockout mice |
The EMBO journal |
High |
15538386
|
| 1996 |
ERK3 is constitutively localized in the nucleus in exponentially growing, quiescent, and growth factor-stimulated cells; the C-terminal 180 aa are not required for nuclear localization. Recombinant ERK3 autophosphorylates on Ser189 in vitro and in vivo; mutation of conserved catalytic Asp171 eliminates autophosphorylation. ERK3 does not phosphorylate typical MAP kinase substrates (myelin basic protein, etc.). |
Immunoblotting, subcellular fractionation, immunofluorescence, in vitro kinase assay, site-directed mutagenesis (D171A, S189) |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
8621539
|
| 2003 |
ERK3 undergoes CRM1-dependent nuclear export; treatment with leptomycin B causes nuclear accumulation, and ectopic CRM1 promotes cytoplasmic relocalization. CRM1 binds ERK3 in vitro. Forced nuclear or cytoplasmic localization of ERK3 attenuates its ability to induce cell cycle arrest in fibroblasts, indicating nucleocytoplasmic shuttling is required for its negative effect on cell cycle progression. |
Leptomycin B treatment, CRM1 overexpression, snurportin-1 overexpression, GST pulldown (CRM1 binds ERK3 in vitro), cell cycle analysis |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
12915405
|
| 2008 |
ERK3 (and ERK4) are phosphorylated on activation loop Ser189 in vivo by an upstream cellular kinase, detectable in resting cells. Activation loop phosphorylation stimulates intrinsic catalytic activity of ERK3 and is required for formation of stable active complexes with MK5, and for efficient cytoplasmic redistribution of ERK3/MK5 complexes. |
Phospho-specific antibodies, in vitro kinase assay, MK5 interaction assays, subcellular fractionation |
Journal of cellular physiology |
High |
18720373
|
| 2010 |
Group I p21-activated kinases (PAK1/2/3) phosphorylate ERK3 on activation loop Ser189 (and ERK4 on Ser186) both in vitro and in vivo. Activated Rac1 augments this phosphorylation; siRNA silencing of PAK1/2/3 abolishes Rac1-induced ERK3 Ser189 phosphorylation. PAK-mediated phosphorylation results in enzymatic activation of ERK3 and downstream activation of MK5, defining a PAK-ERK3-MK5 signaling pathway. |
Biochemical kinase purification, in vitro kinase assay, RNAi, phospho-specific antibodies, activated Rac1 expression |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
21177870
|
| 2011 |
Recombinant PAK2 directly phosphorylates ERK3 at Ser189 in vitro (confirmed by protein microarray and solution-based kinase assay). Selective inhibition of class I PAK kinase activity in cells increases nuclear accumulation of ERK3, reduces Ser189 phosphorylation, and inhibits ERK3-PRAK complex formation. |
Protein microarray, in vitro kinase assay, phospho-specific antisera, PAK inhibitor treatment, nuclear/cytoplasmic fractionation |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
21317288
|
| 2009 |
ERK3 and ERK4 interact with MK5 through a novel FRIEDE motif in the L16 extension C-terminal to the CD domain; a single I→K substitution in FRIEDE completely abolishes binding, activation, and translocation of MK5 by both ERK3 and ERK4. The canonical CD domain is dispensable for this interaction. Activation loop phosphorylation of ERK3/ERK4 is required for MK5 binding, suggesting a phosphorylation-dependent switch mechanism. |
Peptide overlay assays, site-directed mutagenesis (FRIEDE motif), Co-immunoprecipitation, MK5 translocation assays |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
19473979
|
| 1996 |
A novel nuclear/cytosolic protein kinase activity phosphorylates ERK3 at a single site, Ser189, and is distinct from MEK1/2. This kinase is inactivated by PP2A and does not phosphorylate ERK2 or ERK2 mutants bearing the ERK3 phospho-acceptor sequence, indicating high specificity for ERK3. |
Biochemical purification, in vitro kinase assay, PP2A treatment, ERK3/ERK2 chimeric mutants |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
8662649
|
| 2012 |
ERK3 interacts with and phosphorylates SRC-3 (steroid receptor coactivator 3) at Ser857. This phosphorylation is essential for SRC-3 interaction with PEA3 transcription factor, which promotes MMP gene expression and proinvasive activity in lung cancer cells. Knockdown of ERK3 inhibits lung cancer cell invasion and tumor formation in xenograft mouse models. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, in vitro kinase assay, site-directed mutagenesis (S857A), gene knockdown, xenograft mouse model, MMP expression assays |
The Journal of clinical investigation |
High |
22505454
|
| 2012 |
The ERK3/MK5 signaling complex interacts with septin7 (Sept7) to form a ternary complex that can phosphorylate Borg proteins (regulators of Sept7). MK5 also interacts with and phosphorylates kalirin-7 (Kal7) in neurons. The ERK3/MK5 module stimulates Sept7-dependent dendrite development and spine formation in transfected primary neurons; MK5-deficient mice show impaired dendritic spine formation in hippocampal neurons. |
Large-scale interaction screens, Co-immunoprecipitation, in vitro kinase assay, MK5 knockout mice, primary neuron transfection |
Molecular and cellular biology |
High |
22508986
|
| 2017 |
DUSP2 (an inducible nuclear dual-specificity MAP kinase phosphatase) binds to ERK3 and ERK4 via the ERK3/ERK4 CD domain interacting with the DUSP2 KIM motif. This interaction is direct and results in dephosphorylation of ERK3/ERK4 activation loop, stabilization of DUSP2, and inhibition of MK5 activation downstream. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, in vitro phosphatase assay, domain mapping, MK5 activation assays, DUSP2 stabilization experiments |
Scientific reports |
High |
28252035
|
| 2010 |
ERK3 is stoichiometrically hyperphosphorylated during mitotic entry and dephosphorylated at M→G1 transition. Cyclin B-Cdk1 phosphorylates four C-terminal ERK3 sites (Ser684, Ser688, Thr698, Ser705) in vitro and in vivo. Cdc14A and Cdc14B phosphatases bind ERK3 and reverse its C-terminal phosphorylation. Alanine substitution of the four phosphorylation sites markedly decreases ERK3 half-life in mitosis, linking Cdk1-mediated phosphorylation to ERK3 stabilization. |
In vitro kinase assay with purified cyclin B-Cdk1, mass spectrometry phosphosite identification, Cdc14 binding assay, protein half-life measurements (pulse-chase), site-directed mutagenesis |
The Biochemical journal |
High |
20236090
|
| 2007 |
Human Cdc14A phosphatase interacts with ERK3 directly via ERK3's C-terminal domain (GST pulldown). Cdc14A can remove Cdk-mediated phosphorylation of ERK3 in vitro. Cdc14A forms a stable complex with ERK3 in human cells independent of phosphatase activity. Cdc14A upregulation leads to redistribution of ERK3 substrate MK5 from nucleus to cytoplasm and stabilizes the ERK3/cyclin D3 complex. |
Yeast two-hybrid screen, GST pulldown, Co-immunoprecipitation, in vitro phosphatase assay, subcellular localization analysis |
Cell cycle (Georgetown, Tex.) |
Medium |
18235225
|
| 2016 |
ERK3 phosphorylates tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 2 (TDP2) at Ser60 and regulates TDP2's phosphodiesterase activity, thereby protecting lung cancer cells against Topoisomerase 2 inhibitor-induced DNA damage and growth inhibition. |
In vitro kinase assay, site-directed mutagenesis (S60), TDP2 phosphodiesterase activity assay, cell viability assays with Top2 inhibitors |
Oncotarget |
Medium |
26701725
|
| 2020 |
β-adrenergic stimulation stabilizes ERK3, leading to formation of an ERK3/MK5 complex that drives lipolysis in adipocytes. The ERK3/MK5 pathway promotes expression of the lipolytic enzyme ATGL via the transcription factor FOXO1. Targeted deletion of ERK3 in mouse adipocytes inhibits lipolysis, elevates energy dissipation, and promotes a lean phenotype with improved diabetes markers. |
High-throughput screen, co-immunoprecipitation, adipocyte-specific ERK3 knockout mice, lipolysis assays, FOXO1 and ATGL expression analysis |
Genes & development |
High |
32139423
|
| 2021 |
MAPK6 directly activates AKT by phosphorylating AKT at Ser473 independent of mTORC2. MAPK6 interacts with AKT through its C34 region and C-terminal tail. Inhibiting MAPK6 sensitizes cancer cells to mTOR kinase inhibitors. |
Co-immunoprecipitation (domain mapping), in vitro kinase assay (AKT phosphorylation at S473), mTOR inhibitor combination studies, cancer cell proliferation assays |
Science advances |
Medium |
34767444
|
| 2020 |
ERK3 is necessary for production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and is critical for AP-1 signaling through its interaction with and regulation of c-Jun protein. The secretome of ERK3-deficient cells is defective in chemotaxis of neutrophils and monocytes in vitro and in vivo. |
3D organoid system, ERK3 knockdown/knockout, secretome analysis, chemotaxis assays (in vitro and in vivo), c-Jun interaction/regulation experiments |
eLife |
Medium |
32314963
|
| 2023 |
ERK3 directly acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for CDC42 and phosphorylates ARP3 (subunit of ARP2/3 complex) at Ser418 to promote actin polymerization and filopodia formation. ERK3 protein bound directly to the purified ARP2/3 complex and augmented polymerization of actin in vitro. Depletion of ERK3 prevented CDC42/RAC1 activation, F-actin maintenance, filopodia formation, and epithelial cell migration. |
In vitro GEF assay (CDC42 nucleotide exchange), in vitro kinase assay (ARP3 phosphorylation at S418), in vitro actin polymerization assay with purified ARP2/3, ERK3 depletion with defined cytoskeletal phenotypes |
eLife |
High |
37057894
|
| 2022 |
FBXW7 acts as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for ERK3, targeting it for ubiquitination-mediated proteasomal degradation. ERK3 binds FBXW7 through its C34D region, specifically at Thr417 and Thr421, which interact with the WD40 domain of FBXW7. T417A/T421A double mutation abrogates FBXW7-mediated ubiquitination. FBXW7 depletion restores ERK3 protein levels. |
Mammalian two-hybrid assay, co-immunoprecipitation, ubiquitination assay, proteasome inhibitor treatment, site-directed mutagenesis (T417A/T421A) |
Experimental & molecular medicine |
High |
35022544
|
| 2022 |
EGLN3 catalyzes hydroxylation of ERK3, and this hydroxylation antagonizes chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA)-mediated degradation of ERK3 by reducing ERK3 interaction with LAMP2A. ERK3 interacts with HSC70 and LAMP2A (core CMA components) and is degraded by the CMA-lysosome pathway; EGLN3-mediated hydroxylation blocks this. |
Co-immunoprecipitation (ERK3-HSC70 and ERK3-LAMP2A), hydroxylation assay, CMA-lysosome pathway assays, EGLN3 catalytically inactive knock-in mice |
Oncogene |
Medium |
35124697
|
| 2022 |
ERK3 and MK5 act in a linear pathway to control postnatal myogenic differentiation: ERK3 kinase-inactive mice (Mapk6KD/KD) have impaired skeletal muscle growth and regeneration. MK5 directly phosphorylates FoxO3, promoting its degradation and reducing FoxO3 association with MyoD. FoxO3 depletion partially rescues premature differentiation caused by ERK3/MK5 inactivation. |
Mapk6KD/KD (kinase-dead knock-in) mice, MK5 KO mice, C2C12/primary myoblast differentiation assays, MK5 in vitro kinase assay (FoxO3 phosphorylation), MK5 inhibitor, FoxO3 rescue experiments |
Journal of cellular physiology |
High |
35141958
|
| 2022 |
Supervillin (SVIL) is a direct ERK3 substrate; ERK3 phosphorylates SVIL at Ser245 to regulate myosin II activation and cytokinesis completion. Depletion of SVIL or ERK3 leads to increased cytokinesis failure and multinucleation, a phenotype rescued by wild-type SVIL but not by non-phosphorylatable S245A mutant. |
Quantitative phosphoproteomics, in vitro kinase assay, site-directed mutagenesis (S245A), siRNA knockdown, cytokinesis and multinucleation assays |
Journal of cellular physiology |
High |
36576983
|
| 2001 |
The C-terminal halves of ERK2 and ERK3 (catalytic domain) are primarily responsible for their distinct subcellular localizations in resting cells. The N-terminal folding domain of ERK2 is required for its activation by MEK1, interaction with MEK1, and nuclear accumulation; swapping in the ERK3 N-terminal domain abrogates these. ERK3 is thus constitutively nuclear through a mechanism residing in its C-terminal catalytic domain half, independent of MEK. |
ERK2/ERK3 chimeric protein constructs, subcellular localization assays, MEK1 interaction assays |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
Medium |
11741894
|
| 2001 |
ERK3 expression is upregulated at the mRNA and protein level by proteasome inhibitors in a p38 pathway-dependent manner. p38 pathway kinase inhibitors prevent proteasome-dependent ERK3 induction. ERK3 upregulation is independent of p53, Bcl2, and caspase-3. Ectopic ERK3 expression increases cellular resistance to proteasome inhibition. |
Proteasome inhibitor treatment (peptide-based inhibitors, lactacystin), p38 inhibitors, Western blot, ERK3 ectopic expression, cell viability assays |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
Medium |
11148204
|
| 1996 |
ERK3 activity is constitutively activated (~10-fold increase) in colon cancer cells stably transfected with PKC-beta1 or PKC-beta2, without a change in ERK3 protein level. TPA-induced downregulation of PKC activity reduces ERK3 activity, establishing a causal link. Activated ERK3 is found in nuclear and membrane fractions in PKC-beta transfectants. |
Stable transfection, immune complex kinase assay, in-gel kinase assay, TPA-mediated PKC downregulation, subcellular fractionation |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
Medium |
8626698
|
| 2006 |
ERK3/MAPK6 expression is upregulated by BRAF(V600E) signaling via MEK1/2; pharmacological inhibition of BRAF or MEK1/2, or RNAi-mediated BRAF knockdown, leads to rapid ERK3 protein degradation in melanoma cells. |
Conditional BRAF(V600E) expression system, MEK inhibitors, BRAF RNAi, Western blot, microarray |
International journal of oncology |
Medium |
16964379
|
| 2006 |
ERK3 associates with microtubule-associated protein MAP2 in pancreatic beta cells; PMA-induced ERK3 phosphorylation is accompanied by increased ERK3/MAP2 association and MAP2 phosphorylation. Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated ERK3 knockdown abolishes glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and PMA-induced insulin secretion, indicating ERK3 is required for stimulus-secretion coupling in beta cells. |
Co-immunoprecipitation (ERK3-MAP2), antisense oligonucleotide knockdown, insulin secretion assays, immunohistochemistry (beta cell-specific expression) |
Molecular and cellular endocrinology |
Medium |
16597486
|
| 2010 |
ERK3 localizes to spindle fibers and asters in mouse oocytes during meiosis I–II. Deletion of ERK3 by morpholino injection causes oocyte arrest at MI with impaired spindles, misaligned chromosomes, persistent BubR1 on kinetochores, disrupted kinetochore-microtubule attachments, and failure of homologous chromosome segregation. |
ERK3 morpholino microinjection in mouse oocytes, immunofluorescence (spindle localization, BubR1, α-tubulin), chromosome spreading, low-temperature kinetochore-MT stability assay |
PloS one |
Medium |
20927325
|
| 2014 |
ERK3 promotes endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and tube formation by upregulating SRC-3/SP1-mediated VEGFR2 expression. The mechanism involves ERK3-stimulated formation of a transcriptional complex containing SRC-3, SP-1, and CBP. ERK3 gene expression is upregulated by cytokines through c-Jun binding to the ERK3 gene promoter. |
Co-immunoprecipitation (SRC-3/SP-1/CBP complex), VEGFR2 promoter reporter assays, ERK3 knockdown, endothelial migration/proliferation/tube formation assays |
Journal of cellular physiology |
Medium |
24585635
|
| 2018 |
Activation loop phosphorylation (Ser189) is important for ERK3 kinase activity toward SRC-3: S189A mutation greatly decreases ERK3 kinase activity toward SRC-3 and reduces the ability to promote lung cancer cell migration, invasion, and MMP expression. A kinase-inactive ERK3 mutant still promotes invasion to a lesser extent, indicating both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent mechanisms contribute to ERK3-driven invasiveness. |
In vitro kinase assay (S189A and kinase-dead mutants vs. SRC-3 substrate), lung cancer cell migration/invasion assays, MMP expression analysis |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
30166347
|
| 2025 |
Intracellular acidification markedly increases ERK3 half-life, while alkalinization accelerates its degradation. This pH-dependent regulation is rapid, reversible, and cell-type consistent. A region in ERK3's C-terminus contains pH-sensing motifs responsible for this regulation. |
Intracellular pH manipulation, protein half-life measurements, quantitative proteomics, C-terminus deletion/mutant analysis |
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Medium |
41123996
|
| 2023 |
ERK3 interacts with DGKζ (diacylglycerol kinase ζ) via its C34 domain; DGKζ binds to the N-terminal and C1 domains of ERK3. Co-overexpression of DGKζ and ERK3 completely blocks ERK3-promoted lung cancer cell migration; DGKζ requires the C34 domain of ERK3 to prevent ERK3-mediated migration. |
Yeast two-hybrid, co-immunoprecipitation, in vitro binding assay, co-localization, ERK3 domain deletion mutants, lung cancer cell migration assays |
Frontiers in cell and developmental biology |
Medium |
37287450
|
| 2020 |
ERK3 L290P/V cancer mutations enhance ERK3's cytoplasmic localization by increasing interaction with the nuclear export factor CRM1, thereby increasing migration/invasion-promoting capability without clear effects on intrinsic kinase activity. |
Site-directed mutagenesis (L290P, L290V), CRM1 co-immunoprecipitation, subcellular fractionation, migration/invasion assays |
Scientific reports |
Medium |
29101390
|
| 2023 |
ERK3 interacts with Snail and enhances Snail protein stability by inhibiting the binding of FBXO11 (an E3 ubiquitin ligase) to Snail, thereby preventing Snail ubiquitination and degradation. ERK3 does not directly phosphorylate Snail. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, ubiquitination assay, protein stability assay, negative result for direct phosphorylation |
Cancers |
Medium |
38201533
|
| 2025 |
TRIM21 (ubiquitin ligase) binds MAPK6 and promotes its ubiquitin-proteasome degradation in endothelial cells exposed to disturbed shear stress. Endothelial MAPK6 regulates inflammation via the EGR1/CXCL12 axis; endothelium-specific MAPK6 knockout increases plaque area in ApoE-/- mice, reversible by CXCL12 neutralization. |
Co-immunoprecipitation (TRIM21-MAPK6), RNA-seq, proteomic analysis, endothelium-specific Mapk6 knockout mice, AAV-MAPK6 overexpression, CXCL12 neutralization rescue |
Clinical and translational medicine |
Medium |
39763069
|
| 2015 |
ERK3 localizes to the cell periphery of breast cancer cells during adhesion to collagen I. ERK3 overexpression reduces cell spread area and increases migration speed. Importantly, a kinase-inactive ERK3 mutant phenocopies wild-type ERK3 overexpression in reducing spread area and increasing migration, revealing a kinase-independent function. |
Live cell imaging, ERK3 overexpression (WT and kinase-dead), siRNA knockdown, morphological analysis during cell adhesion |
Cell adhesion & migration |
Medium |
26588708
|
| 2020 |
The C-terminus tail of ERK3 is required for full kinase activity toward SRC-3 and for ERK3-promoted cancer cell migration/invasion. Septin 7, which interacts with ERK3 via its C-terminus tail, acts as a downstream effector for ERK3-induced cancer cell migration. |
C-terminus deletion mutants, in vitro kinase assay (SRC-3 substrate), septin 7 knockdown, migration/invasion assays |
International journal of molecular sciences |
Medium |
32516969
|
| 1996 |
ERK3 specifically co-elutes with B-Raf (but not c-Raf1) after anion exchange chromatography of rat hippocampal lysates; ERK3 is released from B-Raf immunoprecipitates upon ATP incubation, suggesting a specific association of ERK3 with B-Raf in rat hippocampus. |
Anion exchange chromatography, co-immunoprecipitation, ATP-dependent dissociation assay |
Biochemical and biophysical research communications |
Low |
8954940
|
| 2014 |
ERK3 expression is induced in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells following TCR stimulation, requiring ERK1/2 activation. ERK3 protein is phosphorylated and associates with MK5 in activated primary T cells. ERK3-deficient T cells show decreased proliferation and impaired cytokine secretion following stimulation with low-dose anti-CD3. |
ERK3-/- mice, T cell activation assays, ERK1/2 inhibitor treatment, co-immunoprecipitation (ERK3-MK5 in activated T cells), cytokine measurement |
PloS one |
Medium |
24475167
|
| 2018 |
ERK3 regulates epithelial architecture in Xenopus embryos and human breast epithelial cells: ERK3 knockdown impairs adherens and tight-junction protein distribution and tight-junction barrier function. ERK3 is required for full activation of TFAP2A (AP-2α)-dependent transcription, and TFAP2A knockdown phenocopies ERK3 knockdown. |
Xenopus ERK3 knockdown (morpholino), human epithelial cell ERK3 KD, microarray gene expression, tight-junction barrier assay, TFAP2A luciferase reporter |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
Medium |
29674317
|
| 2020 |
Crystal structure of the ERK3 kinase domain was determined, revealing a distinct ATP binding pocket compared to ERK2, particularly in the A-loop, GC-loop, and αC-helix conformations. The structure also indicates a potential structural link toward MK5 interaction via the FHIEDE motif. |
X-ray crystallography (ERK3 kinase domain), small molecule inhibitor screening with biochemical and cellular assays (NanoBRET) |
Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters |
Medium |
32927028
|
| 2020 |
Crystal structure of the ERK3 kinase domain was determined providing molecular insights into its distinct ATP binding pocket relative to ERK2, explaining differences in inhibitor binding properties. |
X-ray crystallography (ERK3 kinase domain and CLK1 in complex with inhibitor CAF052), medium-scale small molecule screening |
International journal of molecular sciences |
Medium |
33114754
|
| 2024 |
ERK3 is expressed in atrial and ventricular cardiac fibroblasts (not myocytes). ERK3 co-immunoprecipitates with MK5 in heart lysates. ERK3 haploinsufficiency reduces cardiac hypertrophy and Col1a1 mRNA increase after transverse aortic constriction. ERK3 knockdown reduces TGF-β-induced collagen expression and impairs myofibroblast motility. |
Co-immunoprecipitation (heart lysates), ERK3+/- mice with TAC model, siRNA knockdown in primary cardiac fibroblasts, collagen assays, motility assays |
Physiological reports |
Medium |
38872461
|