Upstream activation of ERK but not the other map kinases was found to be a regulator of DR5 upregulation in DAT1 induced apoptosis in colon cancer as both inhibition of MEK by the selective inhibitor U0126 and small RNA mediated downregulation of ERK significantly reduced DR5 activation and DAT1 mediated apoptosis. The gene discussed is MAP2K7; the disease is colonic neoplasm.