Identification and characterization of novel RSK substrates

RAS依赖的细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)级联反应多种细胞外刺激，调节多种生物学功能，包括细胞的增殖、分化、迁移和存活。这一途径在胚胎发育过程中发挥着特别重要的作用，ERK信号调节生长因子下游的各种发育过程，包括原肠形成、神经模式形成、肢体发育和胎盘形成。因此，在胚胎发育和成年过程中，对这一信号通路的适当调控是至关重要的，因为这一级联反应中的激活/失活突变会导致各种发育障碍和疾病。

The Ras-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade responds to a wide array of extracellular stimuli to regulate diverse biological functions, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and survival. This pathway plays particularly important roles during embryogenesis, where ERK signalling regulates various developmental processes downstream of growth factors, including gastrulation, neural patterning, limb development and placentation. Proper regulation of this signalling pathway is thus crucial during embryogenesis and adulthood, as activating/inactivating mutations within this cascade lead to various developmental disorders and diseases.