The MAPKAP kinases (for MAP kinase activated protein kinases) are a group of MAP kinase substrates which are themselves kinases. In response to activation, the MAP kinases phosphorylate downstream components on a consensus Pro-X-Ser/Thr-Pro motif. Several kinases that contain this motif have been identifed and serve as substrates for the ERK and p38 MAP kinases. These include the serine/threonine kinases Rsk-1 (also designated MAPKAP kinase-1), Rsk-2 and Rsk-3, which are phosphorylated by ERK1 and ERK2. Similarly, p38 phosphorylates and activates the serine/threonine kinases MAPKAP kinase-2 and MAPKAP kinase-3 (also designated 3pK). The serine/threonine kinases Mnk1 and Mnk2 are substrates for both ERK and p38 MAP kinases.
