As previously reported, many viruses along with HEVA71, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) can target ERK1/2 pathways as a means to manipulate cellular function and to regulate viral infection and replication, albeit it should be noted that ERK1/2 activation rather than its upregulation was documented in those studies79–82. The gene discussed is MAPK3; the disease is viral infectious disease.