This gene encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase that is involved in many different processes, including, cell signaling, microtubule organization and stability, and apoptosis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2011],catalytic activity:ATP + a protein = ADP + a phosphoprotein.,cofactor:Magnesium.,function:Activates the JNK MAP kinase pathway through the specific activation of the upstream MKK3 and MKK6 kinases.,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 protein kinase domain.,subcellular location:Found to be perinuclear and localized to vesicular compartment.,subunit:Interacts with MKK3 and MKK6 (By similarity). Self-associates.,tissue specificity:Ubiquitously expressed, with a higher level of expression in testis and brain.,
