有丝分裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）活化的蛋白激酶（MAPKAPK）是指它们只能由MAPK独家激活。它们可以被受到有丝分裂原和各种压力刺激的经典和非经典MAPK激活。MAPKAPK的基因缺失和高度特异的小分子抑制剂的可用性不断增加了我们对这些激酶的功能理解。MAPKAPK在转录水平的基因表达调控；RNA处理，导出和稳定性；以及蛋白质合成方面合作。 MAPK激活的刺激多样性，不同MAPK和MAPKAPK之间的交叉对话以及MAPKAPK的特定底物模式协调空间和时间的即时早期和炎症反应，并确保正确控制细胞增长，分化和行为。因此，MAPKAPK是癌症治疗和急性和慢性炎症条件的治疗，如细胞因子风暴和类风湿关节炎的有望目标。

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-activated protein kinases (MAPKAPKs) are defined by their exclusive activation by MAPKs. They can be activated by classical and atypical MAPKs that have been stimulated by mitogens and various stresses. Genetic deletions of MAPKAPKs and availability of highly specific small-molecule inhibitors have continuously increased our functional understanding of these kinases. MAPKAPKs cooperate in the regulation of gene expression at the level of transcription; RNA processing, export, and stability; and protein synthesis. The diversity of stimuli for MAPK activation, the crosstalk between the different MAPKs and MAPKAPKs, and the specific substrate pattern of MAPKAPKs orchestrate immediate-early and inflammatory responses in space and time and ensure proper control of cell growth, differentiation, and cell behavior. Hence, MAPKAPKs are promising targets for cancer therapy and treatments for conditions of acute and chronic inflammation, such as cytokine storms and rheumatoid arthritis.