The protein encoded by this gene is a dual specificity protein kinase that belongs to the MAP kinase kinase family. This kinase specifically activates MAPK8/JNK1 and MAPK9/JNK2, and this kinase itself is phosphorylated and activated by MAP kinase kinase kinases including MAP3K1/MEKK1, MAP3K2/MEKK2,MAP3K3/MEKK5, and MAP4K2/GCK. This kinase is involved in the signal transduction mediating the cell responses to proinflammatory cytokines, and environmental stresses. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.,MAP2K7,JNKK2,MAPKK7,MEK,MEK 7,MKK7,PRKMK7,SAPKK-4,SAPKK4,MEK7,MKK7,Signal Transduction,G protein signaling,G2/M DNA Damage Checkpoint,Kinase,ErbB-HER Signaling Pathway,MAPK-JNK Signaling Pathway,Cell Biology & Developmental Biology,Cytoskeleton,Actins,Death Receptor Signaling Pathway,Endocrine & Metabolism,Immunology & Inflammation,B Cell Receptor Signaling Pathway,T Cell Receptor Signaling Pathway,IL-6 Receptor Signaling Pathway,Toll-like Receptor Signaling Pathway,Cell Intrinsic Innate Immunity Signaling Pathway,TLR Signaling,Neuroscience,Neurodegenerative Diseases,Dopamine Signaling in Parkinson's Disease,MAP2K7