MAPK-inducible genes involved in inflammation and connective tissue breakdown. Activated MAPKs (blue) translocate to the nucleus, where they phosphorylate specific transcription factors (black), such as ATF2, c-Jun, Ets-1, c-Fos, and Elk-1. Activation of these transcription factors results in increased transcription from promoters of genes involved in inflammation and connective tissue disease, including those for c-jun, c-fos, and the MMPs.