This gene encodes a serine/threonine kinase belonging to the germinal center kinase (GCK) family. The protein is structurally similar to the kinases that are related to NIK and may belong to a distinct subfamily of NIK-related kinases within the GCK family. Studies of the mouse homolog indicate an up-regulation of expression in the course of postnatal mouse cerebral development and activation of the cJun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and the p38 pathways. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2016],catalytic activity:ATP + a protein = ADP + a phosphoprotein.,cofactor:Magnesium.,function:Serine/threonine kinase that may play a role in the response to environmental stress. Appears to act upstream of the JUN N-terminal pathway. May play a role in the development of the brain.,similarity:Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily.,similarity:Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. STE Ser/Thr protein kinase family. STE20 subfamily.,similarity:Contains 1 CNH domain.,similarity:Contains 1 protein kinase domain.,tissue specificity:Expressed in the brain, isoform 2 is more abundant than isoform 1.,
