Cytoskeleton and associated proteins: Pleiotropic jnk substrates and regulators

Abstract

This review extensively reports data from the literature concerning the complex relationships between the stress‐induced c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNKs) and the four main cytoskeleton elements, which are actin filaments, microtubules, intermediate filaments, and septins. To a lesser extent, we also focused on the two membrane‐associated cytoskeletons spectrin and ESCRT‐III. We gather the mechanisms controlling cytoskeleton‐associated JNK activation and the known cytoskeleton‐related substrates directly phosphorylated by JNK. We also point out specific locations of the JNK upstream regulators at cytoskeletal components. We finally compile available techniques and tools that could allow a better characterization of the interplay between the different types of cytoskeleton filaments upon JNK‐mediated stress and during development. This overview may bring new important information for applied medical research.