Map2k2, also known as MEK2, is a key component of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. The MAPK pathway is specialized in the cell's response to external stimuli, regulating crucial cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and survival [2,3].

In multiple myeloma, YTHDF2 promotes cell proliferation via the STAT5A/MAP2K2/p-ERK axis. STAT5A suppresses cell proliferation by occupying the transcription site of MAP2K2 to decrease ERK phosphorylation, and YTHDF2 mediates the unphosphorylated form of STAT5A to inhibit the expression of MAP2K2/p-ERK [1].

In psoriatic arthritis, adalimumab therapy leads to a statistically significant decrease in the transcriptional activity of the MAP2K2 gene, suggesting its potential use as a diagnostic marker for monitoring this therapy [2].

A MAP2K2 mutation was identified as the cause of cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome in an infant with a severe and fatal course of the disease [4].

Genistein suppresses allergic contact dermatitis through regulating the MAP2K2/ERK pathway, inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [5].

In conclusion, Map2k2 is essential in the MAPK pathway, playing a role in multiple biological processes and disease conditions. Studies on Map2k2 contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of diseases like multiple myeloma, psoriatic arthritis, cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome, and allergic contact dermatitis, potentially providing new directions for diagnosis and treatment.

References:

1. Hua, Zhen, Wei, Rongfang, Guo, Mengjie, Gu, Chunyan, Yang, Ye. 2022. YTHDF2 promotes multiple myeloma cell proliferation via STAT5A/MAP2K2/p-ERK axis. In Oncogene, 41, 1482-1491. doi:10.1038/s41388-022-02191-3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35075244/

2. Krawczyk, Agata, Strzałka-Mrozik, Barbara, Juszczyk, Karol, Wcisło-Dziadecka, Dominika, Gola, Joanna. . The MAP2K2 Gene as Potential Diagnostic Marker in Monitoring Adalimumab Therapy of Psoriatic Arthritis. In Current pharmaceutical biotechnology, 24, 330-340. doi:10.2174/1389201023666220628111644. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35762548/

3. Diamond, Eli L, Durham, Benjamin H, Ulaner, Gary A, Abdel-Wahab, Omar, Hyman, David M. 2019. Efficacy of MEK inhibition in patients with histiocytic neoplasms. In Nature, 567, 521-524. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1012-y. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30867592/

4. Gos, Monika, Smigiel, Robert, Kaczan, Teresa, Sasiadek, Malgorzata, Bal, Jerzy. 2018. MAP2K2 mutation as a cause of cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome in an infant with a severe and fatal course of the disease. In American journal of medical genetics. Part A, 176, 1670-1674. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.38837. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29799162/

5. Xu, Jinhong, Xiong, Hui, Zhao, Zhongqiu, Yang, Guangzhong, Mei, Zhinan. 2021. Genistein suppresses allergic contact dermatitis through regulating the MAP2K2/ERK pathway. In Food & function, 12, 4556-4569. doi:10.1039/d0fo03238g. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33908440/