Key Signaling Pathways Regulate the Development and Survival of Auditory Hair Cells

Figure 1

MAPK signaling pathways. There are three tiers of protein kinases that compose each family of MAPKs: MAPKKK, MAPKK, and MAPK. The three main classes of MAPK include ERK1/2, JNK1/2/3, and p38. Stimuli can trigger Ca²⁺, PKC, Ras, Raf, MEK, and ERK1/2 to maintain proliferation and differentiation. Oxidative stress, UV irradiation, and cytokines can trigger JNK and p38 to activate the downstream molecules that promote apoptosis.