The MAP2K5 antibody targets mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 5 (MAP2K5 or MEK5), a serine/threonine kinase within the MAPK signaling pathway. MAP2K5 acts as an upstream activator of ERK5 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5), regulating cellular responses to stress, growth factors, and cytokines. This pathway influences cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis, with ERK5 uniquely involved in both nuclear signaling and cytoskeletal reorganization. MAP2K5 antibodies are widely used in research to study ERK5 pathway dynamics, particularly in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.
These antibodies are essential tools for detecting MAP2K5 expression via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Specificity is validated through knockout controls or siRNA knockdown to ensure minimal cross-reactivity with other MAPK family members. MAP2K5/ERK5 signaling has dual roles in cancer—acting as a tumor suppressor in some contexts or promoting metastasis in others—making its study critical for therapeutic targeting. Additionally, the pathway’s involvement in endothelial cell function and neuronal survival highlights its broader physiological relevance.
Commercial MAP2K5 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice, with recommended applications and dilution ratios provided by manufacturers. Researchers rely on these reagents to explore disease mechanisms, validate gene-editing models, or assess drug efficacy targeting the ERK5 cascade.