The ERK Cascade As a Prototype of MAPK Signaling Pathways -- Determination of ERK Activity -- Detection of ERK1/2 Activities Using Affinity Reagents -- Activation of SAPKs/JNKs and p38s In Vitro -- Investigating the Cellular BMK1/ERK5 Signaling Pathway -- Pull-Down Assays for Guanosine 5?-Triphosphate-Bound Ras-Like Guanosine 5?-Triphosphatases -- Regulation of MAPK Cascades by Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases -- Use of Inhibitors in the Study of MAPK Signaling -- Structure of MAPKs -- Subcellular Localization of MAPKs -- Study of MAPK Signaling Using Knockout Mice -- Computer Simulation of MAPK Signal Transduction -- Signaling by Growth Factor Receptors -- Activation of MAPKs by G Protein-Coupled Receptors -- Identification of MAPK Substrates by Expression Screening With Solid-Phase Phosphorylation -- Study of Substrate Specificity of MAPKs Using Oriented Peptide Libraries -- Ras Signaling Pathway for Analysis of Protein-Protein Interactions in Yeast and Mammalian Cells -- Methods in Functional Proteomics -- Practical Methods for Deuterium Exchange/Mass Spectrometry -- Use of Xenopus Oocytes and Early Embryos to Study MAPK Signaling -- MAPK Cascades in the Brain.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades initiate highly significant cellular processes and are involved in a large number of diseases, including cancer and diabetes. In MAP Kinase Signaling Protocols, leading researchers with extensive hands-on experience describe in detail both classic and cutting-edge techniques for the detection and measurement of the MAPKs and other components in these cascades. The protocols include methods for the determination of the subcellular localization of these components, the structural and biophysical analysis of the components, and identification of novel components of known and unknown signaling cascades. Additional methods examine the upstream mechanisms of activation of MAPK cascades by various receptors, the mechanisms involved in the downregulation of the MAPK cascades, and identification of targets of the MAPK cascades. A number of techniques use inhibitors in research on MAPK and transgenic mice for studies of MAPK signaling. Each readily reproducible protocol is described in step-by-step detail and includes a background introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and versatile, MAP Kinase Signaling Protocols offers biochemists, cell biologists, physicians, and biotechnologists all the essential laboratory techniques needed to conduct productive studies of MAPK signaling in health and disease, in measuring the influence of drugs, and in a broad range of experimental systems.