The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the MAP kinase family. MAP kinases act as an integration point for multiple biochemical signals, and are involved in a wide variety of cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, transcription regulation and development. This kinase targets specific transcription factors, and thus mediates immediate-early gene expression in response to various cell stimuli. It is most closely related to MAPK8, both of which are involved in UV radiation induced apoptosis, thought to be related to the cytochrome c-mediated cell death pathway. This gene and MAPK8 are also known as c-Jun N-terminal kinases. This kinase blocks the ubiquitination of tumor suppressor p53, and thus it increases the stability of p53 in nonstressed cells. Studies of this gene's mouse counterpart suggest a key role in T-cell differentiation. Several alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.,MAPK9,JNK-55,JNK2,JNK2A,JNK2ALPHA,JNK2B,JNK2BETA,PRKM9,SAPK,SAPK1a,p54a,p54aSAPK,Cancer,Tumor biomarkers,Signal Transduction,Kinase,Serine/threonine kinases,ErbB-HER Signaling Pathway,MAPK-JNK Signaling Pathway,Cell Biology & Developmental Biology,Apoptosis,Mitochondrial Control of Apoptosis,Inhibition of Apoptosis,Death Receptor Signaling Pathway,TGF-b-Smad Signaling Pathway,Endocrine & Metabolism,Insulin Receptor Signaling Pathway,Immunology & Inflammation,B Cell Receptor Signaling Pathway,T Cell Receptor Signaling Pathway,NF-kB Signaling Pathway,Toll-like Receptor Signaling Pathway,Cell Intrinsic Innate Immunity Signaling Pathway,TLR Signaling,Neuroscience,Neurodegenerative Diseases,Dopamine Signaling in Parkinson's Disease,MAPK9