MAP3K5 and ischemia: While ERK 1/2 has a controversial role in cell death and appears to be rather neuroprotective against ischemia/reperfusion injuries [15], JNK and p38 MAPK, activated by ROS through ASK1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1), significantly contribute to apoptosis during reperfusion after an ischemic insult [29,30].