High-throughput approaches to dissecting MAPK signaling pathways

Methods. 2006 Nov;40(3):262-71. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2006.05.002.

Abstract

With the development of genome-wide RNAi libraries, it is now possible to screen for novel components of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in cell culture. Although genetic dissection in model organisms and biochemical approaches in mammalian cells have been successful in identifying the core signaling cassettes of these pathways, high-throughput assays can yield unbiased, functional genomic insight into pathway regulation. We describe general high-throughput approaches to assaying MAPK signaling and the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in particular using a phospho-specific antibody-based readout of pathway activity. We also provide examples of secondary validation screens and methods for managing large datasets for future in vivo functional characterization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques / methods*
  • Drosophila / cytology
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / genetics
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / analysis*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / genetics
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases