Leishmania MAP kinases-familiar proteins in an unusual context

Mitogen-activated protein kinases are well-known mediators of signal transduction of higher eukaryotes regulating important processes like proliferation, differentiation, stress response and apoptosis. In Leishmania, the typical three-tiered module of MAP kinase signal transduction pathways is present. However, typical activators like cell surface receptors and substrates such as RNA polymerase II transcription factors are missing. Here, I describe the set of 15 putative mitogen-activated protein kinases encoded in the Leishmania genome and discuss their potential function.