About MAPK1
This gene encodes a member of the MAP kinase family. MAP kinases, also known as extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), act as an integration point for multiple biochemical signals, and are involved in a wide variety of cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, transcription regulation and development. The activation of this kinase requires its phosphorylation by upstream kinases. Upon activation, this kinase translocates to the nucleus of the stimulated cells, where it phosphorylates nuclear targets. One study also suggests that this protein acts as a transcriptional repressor independent of its kinase activity. The encoded protein has been identified as a moonlighting protein based on its ability to perform mechanistically distinct functions. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding the same protein, but differing in the UTRs, have been reported for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2014]

About Alexa Fluor 532
Alexa Fluor™ 532 (AF532, Alexa 532) has an excitation peak at 532 nm and an emission peak at 554 nm, and is spectrally similar to Cy®3 (GE Healthcare), TRITC, iFluor® 514 (ATT Bioquest) and iFluor® 546 (ATT Bioquest). Many flow cytometers are equipped with 532nm lasers, so while Alexa 532 can be used for flow cytometry, PE is more commonly used due to its brightness and spectral characteristics. This dye is commonly used for fluorescence microscopy applications.