Abstract.In a human cancer cell line, we previously found a mutation in codon 322 of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK2 E322K ), the protein showed a faster migration when compared to wild-type in SDS-PAGE and constitutive phosphorylation. However, the reason for the faster migration, and the biochemical and biological properties of the mutation is unknown. In this study, we report that the amino acid charge-change mutation in the common docking (CD) domain is important for fast migration. In vitro binding of ERK2 E322K to MKP1 and RSK2 was lost, resulting in constitutive activation and possibly contributing to a more efficient colony formation in soft agar. We established transgenic flies by carrying the corresponding CD domain mutation, DERK E335K , which developed smaller and rougher eyes compared with the wild-type. Taken together, these data are consistent with ERK2 E322K loss of contact with downstream effectors and its constitutive activation, presenting an oncogenic potential and weak abnormality in differentiation.