Despite our finding that alternative p38 activation is dependent on a SYK-Vav-1 cascade for the negative regulation of caspase- or Gadd45α-mediated cell death induction in hepatocytes, we cannot rule out the involvement of other signaling molecules such as kinases or phosphatases for the cross-talk with alternative p38 signaling in hepatocytes in liver disease. The gene discussed is GADD45A; the disease is liver disorder.