The p38 MAPK pathway is one of the major signaling cascades involved in transducing extracellular signals into cellular responses. It is part of the broader MAPK family, which includes ERK, JNK, and p38. This pathway is activated by various stress stimuli, such as UV radiation, heat shock, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Upon activation, p38 MAPK phosphorylates a range of substrates, including transcription factors, which in turn regulate the expression of genes involved in inflammation, apoptosis, and cell differentiation.
