The Roles of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) in Infectious Diseases

Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Sep 6;22(17):9640. doi: 10.3390/ijms22179640.

Abstract

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are among the most crucial mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and regulate various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammation. Microbes heavily rely on cellular signaling pathways for their effective replication; hence, JNKs may play important roles in infectious diseases. In this review, we describe the basic signaling properties of MAPKs and JNKs in apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammasome activation. Furthermore, we discuss the roles of JNKs in various infectious diseases induced by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, as well as their potential to serve as targets for the development of therapeutic agents for infectious diseases. We expect this review to expand our understanding of the JNK signaling pathway's role in infectious diseases and provide important clues for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

Keywords: JNK; JNK inhibitors; apoptosis; autophagy; infectious diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Autophagy
  • Communicable Diseases / enzymology*
  • Communicable Diseases / metabolism
  • Communicable Diseases / pathology
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 10 / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8 / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 9 / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation

Substances

  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 10
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 9
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8