Mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 alpha (p38 MAPK) responds to activation by environmental stress,Porcinero-inflammatory cytokines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by phosphorylating a number of transcription factors, such as ELK1 and ATF2 and several downstream kinases, such as MAPKAPK2 and MAPKAPK5. P38 MAPK plays a critical role in the production of some cytokines, for e, Xenopus/Amphibian,ample IL-6. P38 MAPK plays a role in stabilization of EPO mRNA during hypo, Xenopus/Amphibian,ic stress. p38 MAPK is activated by a dual specificity kinase that phosphorylates Thr180 and Tyr182.