MAPK cascades can be negatively regulated by members of the MAPK phosphatase (MKP) family. However, how MKP activity is regulated is not well characterized. MKP-7, a JNK-specific phosphatase, possesses a unique COOH-terminal stretch (CTS) in addition to domains conserved among MKP family members. The CTS contains several motifs such as a nuclear localization signal, a nuclear export signal, PEST sequences, and a serine residue (Ser-446) that can be phosphorylated by activated ERK, suggesting an important regulatory role(s).35 S-pulse labeling experiments indicate that the half-life of MKP-7 is 1.5 h, a period significantly elongated by deleting the CTS. We also show that overexpressed MKP-7 is polyubiquitinated when co-expressed with ubiquitin and that proteasome inhibitors markedly inhibit MKP-7 degradation. We also determined that MKP-7 phosphorylated at Ser-446 has a longer half-life than unphosphorylated form of the wild type protein, as does a phospho-mimic mutant of MKP-7. These results indicate that activation of the ERK pathway strongly blocks JNK activation through stabilization of MKP-7 mediated by phosphorylation.In all eukaryotic organisms mitogen-activated protein (MAP) 1 kinase modules are involved in signal transduction of numerous cellular responses including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis (1, 2). Three subfamilies of MAP kinases (MAPKs) have been well characterized: ERKs (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases), JNKs (c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinases), and the p38 MAPK kinases. It is well established that ERK1/2 are typically stimulated by growth-related stimuli, while JNK and p38 are primarily activated by stress-related signals such as heat and osmotic shock, UV irradiation, and inflammatory cytokines. MAPK pathways are regulated at multiple levels to ensure the specificity, timing, and strength of their activity. One critical aspect of this regulation is reversible phosphorylation of MAPKs.Negative regulation of MAPKs is achieved by dual dephosphorylation of the TXY motif by phosphatases. As in vivo candidates for negative regulators, the MAPK phosphatases (MKPs), a family of dual specificity protein phosphatases, have been identified (3). MKPs are primarily composed of two domains, a rhodanese-like domain and a dual specificity phosphatase catalytic domain (4). In mammals 10 genes encoding MKPs differing in substrate specificity and subcellular localization have been reported. According to phylogenetic analysis and gene structure, MKPs can be classified into four groups (5-7). Group I contains the nuclear MKPs: MKP-1/DUSP1, PAC1/DUSP2, MKP-2/DUSP4, and hVH-3/DUSP5, all of which target the three primary MAPKs, ERK, JNK, and p38. Group II includes cytoplasmic MKPs that mainly target ERK, namely, MKP-3/DUSP6, PYST2/DUSP7, and MKP-4/DUSP9. Group III contains MKP-5/DUSP10, which exhibits a unique NH 2 -terminal domain in addition to the MKP common structure. MKP-5, which is both nuclear and cytoplasmic, dephosphorylates JNK and p38. Group IV consists of the nuclear and cytopl...