JunD mediates survival signaling by the JNK signal transduction pathway.

The c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) can cause cell death by activating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. However, JNK is also capable of signaling cell survival. The mechanism that accounts for the dual role of JNK in apoptosis and survival signaling has not been established.

c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase is essential for the regulation of AP-1 by tumor necrosis factor.

The c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) is activated by the cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF). This pathway is implicated in the regulation of AP-1-dependent gene expression by TNF. To examine the role of the JNK signaling pathway, we compared the effects of TNF on wild-type and Jnk1(-/-) Jnk2(-/-) murine embryo fibroblasts.