Specific activities of individual c-Jun N-terminal kinases in the brain

Abstract The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are multifunctional molecules which, on the one hand, regulate various processes in brain development, repair and memory formation. On the other hand, JNKs are potent effectors of neuronal death and neuroinflammation. This review summarizes recent finding...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuroscience 2009-07, Vol.161 (4), p.951-959
Main Authors: Haeusgen, W, Boehm, R, Zhao, Y, Herdegen, T, Waetzig, V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
brain
Brain - enzymology
Brain - growth & development
Brain - physiology
Cell Death - physiology
Clinical Trials as Topic
Humans
JNK
JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases - antagonists & inhibitors
JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases - metabolism
Learning - physiology
MAP Kinase Signaling System - physiology
Memory - physiology
Nerve Regeneration - physiology
neurodegeneration
Neurology
Neurons - enzymology
Neurons - physiology
regeneration
signaling
signalosome
Subcellular Fractions - enzymology
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Summary:Abstract The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are multifunctional molecules which, on the one hand, regulate various processes in brain development, repair and memory formation. On the other hand, JNKs are potent effectors of neuronal death and neuroinflammation. This review summarizes recent findings on individual JNK functions in the nervous system under pathophysiological conditions and on their regulation by upstream kinases, phosphatases and formation of context-dependent signalosomes. By focusing on different aspects of JNK signaling, it becomes increasingly obvious that the JNK cascade is intricately regulated and intensely dependent on the availability and functionality of its single components and their intracellular localization. Our review also emphasizes, that JNKs are indispensable for neuronal cell death as well as many physiological functions in the brain. Finally, we discuss pharmacological strategies which target pathological JNK activities without affecting their physiological functions.
ISSN:0306-4522
1873-7544
DOI:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.04.014