MAPK3 and diabetes mellitus: Therefore, the specific aims of the study are to characterize the progression of STZ-induced renal and vascular dysfunction at 14- and 28-days; and to examine if the progression of STZ-induced diabetes would alter the biosynthesis and activation of ET-1, NO and the phosphorylation of p38-MAPK and ERK1/2 in thoracic aorta, kidney cortex and kidney medulla.