Inhibitors and Activators of the p38 Mitogen-Activated MAP Kinase (MAPK) Family as Drugs to Treat Cancer and Inflammation

Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 2022;22(3):209-220. doi: 10.2174/1568009622666220215142837.

Abstract

The p38 MAP kinases are a sub-family of the broad group of mitogen-activated serinethreonine protein kinases. The best-characterised, most widely expressed, and most targeted by drugs is p38α MAP kinase. This review briefly summarises the place of p38α MAP kinase in cellular signalling and discusses the structures and activity profiles of representative examples of the major classes of inhibitors and activators (both synthetic compounds and natural products) of this enzyme. Primary screening was direct in vitro inhibition of isolated p38α enzyme.

Keywords: Kinase; activators; cancer; inflammation; inhibitors; p38MAPK; review.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14* / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • Mitogens
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Phosphorylation
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Mitogens
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases