Skip to main content
. 2019 Apr 3;11(4):465. doi: 10.3390/cancers11040465

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of the MAPK pathway in melanoma. Neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) and v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) are the most commonly mutated oncogenes in melanoma and are strong activators of the MAPK pathway. Within this pathway negative feedback occurs towards mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), BRAF and son of sevenless homolog (SOS). BRAF and MEK1/2 may by targeted by specific small molecule inhibitors. The activated MAPK pathway further activates transcription factors such as Ets-1, Elk-1, c-Fos, and CREB-1. Abbreviations: RTK, receptor tyrosine kinase; Shc, Src homology 2 domain containing adaptor protein; Grb-2, growth factor receptor bound protein 2; SOS, son of sevenless homolog. Ets-1, V-Ets avian erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene; Elk-1, ETS-like gene 1; c-Fos, Fos proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit; CREB-1, CAMP responsive element binding protein 1.