Abstract
Over the last 30 years, the study of the cellular response to ionizing radiation (IR) has increased exponentially. Among the various signaling pathways affected by IR, p38 MAPK has been shown to be activated both in vitro and in vivo, with involvement in key processes triggered by IR-mediated genotoxic insult, such as the cell cycle, apoptosis or senescence. However, we do not yet have a definitive clue about the role of p38 MAPK in terms of radioresistance/sensitivity and its potential use to improve current radiotherapy. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on this family of MAPKs in response to IR as well as in different aspects related to radiotherapy, such as their role in the control of REDOX, fibrosis, and in the radiosensitizing effect of several compounds.
Keywords:
MAPK14; cell cycle; p38 MAPK; radiation; radiotherapy.
Grants and funding
This work has been supported by grant PID2021-122222OB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033/ and by FEDER A way to make Europe. F.J. Cimas is funded by contracts for post-doctoral researchers for scientific excellence in the development of the Plan Propio I+D+i, co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). N. García-Flores is funded by the “Investigo Programme” for hiring young job seekers to carry out research and innovation initiatives within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, Next Generation EU, which is financed by the European Union, called by Order 190/2021 of the Regional Ministry of Economy, Business and Employment of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha on 22 December. J. Jiménez-Suárez is funded by the “Contrato predoctoral para la formación de personal investigador” en el marco del plan propio de I+D+I UCLM 2020-PREDUCLM-15144. co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).