Intrinsically active variants of Erk oncogenically transform cells and disclose unexpected autophosphorylation capability that is independent of TEY phosphorylation

The RTK/Ras/Raf cascade is overactive in cancers. Its targets are the MAP kinases Erks, but Erks are not mutated in cancers. An active Erk, Erk1(R84S), is an oncoprotein. Further, Erk1(R84S) and Erk2(R65S) autophosphorylate the TEY motif and Thr-207/Thr-188. Erk2(R65S) autophosphorylates Thr-188 when dually mutated in the TEY.

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