JNK antibodies are immunological instruments that detect cJun N-terminal Kinases (JNKs), proteins belonging to the mitogen activated protein (MAPK) kinase group. These proteins, also known as MAPK8 (stress-activated phosphokinase) and SAPK (stress activated protein kinase), are involved in a variety of cellular processes.
They are sensitive to stress stimuli, and help in T cell differentiation as well as apoptosis. JNK1 through JNK2 are the three genes that give rise to JNK3. JNK3 has 10 isoforms. Anti-JNK1/ MAPK8 antibody can be used for Western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and ELISA.
The stress-activated protein kinase/Jun-amino-terminal kinase SAPK/JNK is potently and preferentially activated by a variety of environmental stresses including UV and gamma radiation, ceramides, inflammatory cytokines, and in some instances, growth factors and GPCR agonists (1-6).
The core signaling unit, like the other MAPKs is made up of either a MAPKKK (meantly MEKK1-MKK4) or one of the mixed lineage Kinases (MLKs), that phosphorylates and activates MKK4/7. MKKs activate the SAPK/JNK protein kinase (2) upon activation. This cascade is triggered by small GTPases from the Rho family (Rac and Rho, cdc42).
JNK1, also known as mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 – MAPK8, is a serine/threonine-protein kinase. It plays an important role in signaling pathways that govern cellular response to external stimuli such as ultraviolet radiation (UV), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inflammatory cytokines. JNK1 phosphorylates many transcription factors such as Elk-1, c-Jun and ATF2, which affects their transcription activity.