serine/threonine protein kinase ULK2; Unc-51-like kinase 2 (ULK2, KIAA0623)

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Function

serine/threonine protein kinase
role in autophagy in response to starvation
acts upstream of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase PIK3C3 to regulate formation of autophagophores, precursors of autophagosomes
part of regulatory feedback loops in autophagy
- acts both as a downstream effector & negative regulator of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) via interaction with RPTOR
- activated via phosphorylation by AMPK
- also acts as a regulator of AMPK by mediating phosphorylation of AMPK subunits PRKAA1, PRKAB2 & PRKAG1, leading to negatively regulate AMPK activity
- may phosphorylate ATG13/KIAA0652, FRS2, FRS3 & RPTOR
- not involved in ammonia-induced autophagy or in autophagic response of cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) to low K+
role early in neuronal differentiation
required for granule cell axon formation
- may govern axon formation via Ras-like GTPase signaling & through regulation of the Rab5-mediated endocytic pathways within developing axons
autophosphorylated
in response to nutrient limitation, probably phosphorylated & activated by AMPK, leading to activate autophagy
interacts with SYNGAP1 (putative)
component of a complex consisting of ATG13/KIAA0652, ULK1 & RB1CC1/FIP200
interacts (via C-terminus) with ATG13/KIAA0652
associates with the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) through an interaction with RPTOR

the CTD-like region mediates membrane-binding & incorporation into large protein complexes
belongs to the protein kinase superfamily, Ser/Thr protein kinase family, APG1/unc-51/ULK1 subfamily
contains 1 protein kinase domain