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The MAPK signaling pathway (specifically ERK, JNK, and p38) plays a complex, context-dependent role in obesity, regulating appetite, adipogenesis, and insulin resistance, with effects varying between in vitro and in vivo models.
Obesity involves complex signaling networks like MAPK that regulate fat storage and insulin sensitivity. The fact that these pathways have conflicting effects in different contexts explains why single-target interventions often fail and why obesity is a heterogeneous disorder.
ModerateQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
MAPK signaling members, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK, play a pivotal role in the regulation of appetite, adipogenesis, glucose homeostasis, and thermogenesis.
Why this rating
The paper highlights controversial results and the need for cautious interpretation, indicating mixed or model-dependent evidence.
Source
Signaling pathways in obesity: mechanisms and therapeutic interventions
Xue Wen et al. · Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy · 2022
DOI 10.1038/s41392-022-01149-x
narrative_reviewCited 386×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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