Angiotensin II (AngII)* is the main effector of the renin-angiotensin system and influences cell growth, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis. The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family of serine-threonine kinases integrates diverse extracellular stimuli and is involved in the regulation of cell growth and apoptosis. AngII regulates activity! of the MAP kinase family members extracellular regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). This review discusses the signal transduction pathways leading to ERK1/2 and JNK activation by AngII. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Inc.