The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the serine/threonine protein kinase family. This kinase mediates the signaling transduction induced by TGF beta and morphogenetic protein (BMP), and controls a variety of cell functions including transcription regulation and apoptosis. In response to IL-1, this protein forms a kinase complex including TRAF6, MAP3K7P1/TAB1 and MAP3K7P2/TAB2, this complex is required for the activation of nuclear factor kappa B. This kinase can also activate MAPK8/JNK, MAP2K4/MKK4, and thus plays a role in the cell response to environmental stresses. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008],catalytic activity:ATP + a protein = ADP + a phosphoprotein.,cofactor:Magnesium.,function:Component of a protein kinase signal transduction cascade. Mediator of TGF-beta signal transduction. Stimulates NF-kappa-B activation and the p38 MAPK pathway.,PTM:Association with MAP3K7IP1 promotes autophosphorylation and subsequent activation. Dephosphorylation at Thr-187 by PP2A and PPP6C leads to inactivation.,similarity:Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily.,similarity:Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. STE Ser/Thr protein kinase family. MAP kinase kinase kinase subfamily.,similarity:Contains 1 protein kinase domain.,subunit:Binds both upstream activators and downstream substrates in multimolecular complexes. Interacts with MAP3K7IP1 and MAP3K7IP2. Interacts with PPM1L. Interaction with PP2A and PPP6C leads to its repressed activity.,
