| Gene Symbol | ULK2 |
|---|---|
| Entrez Gene | 9706 |
| Alt Symbol | ATG1B, Unc51.2 |
| Species | Human |
| Gene Type | protein-coding |
| Description | unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 2 |
| Other Description | serine/threonine-protein kinase ULK2 |
| Swissprots | O75119 A8MY69 Q8IYT8 |
| Accessions | EAW50910 EAW50911 EAW50912 Q8IYT8 AB014523 BAA31598 AK098316 BAG53611 AK314345 AL080134 BC034988 AAH34988 BC039310 DA105030 XM_011524087 XP_011522389 XR_934124 XR_934125 NM_001142610 NP_001136082 NM_014683 NP_055498 |
| Function | Serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in autophagy in response to starvation. Acts upstream of phosphatidylinositol 3- kinase PIK3C3 to regulate the formation of autophagophores, the precursors of autophagosomes. Part of regulatory feedback loops in autophagy: acts both as a downstream effector and a negative regulator of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) via interaction with RPTOR. Activated via phosphorylation by AMPK, also acts as a negative regulator of AMPK through phosphorylation of the AMPK subunits PRKAA1, PRKAB2 and PRKAG1. May phosphorylate ATG13/KIAA0652, FRS2, FRS3 and RPTOR; however such data need additional evidences. Not involved in ammonia-induced autophagy or in autophagic response of cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) to low potassium concentration. Plays a role early in neuronal differentiation and is required for granule cell axon formation: may govern axon formation via Ras-like GTPase signaling and through regulation of the Rab5-mediated endocytic |
| Subcellular Location | Cytoplasmic vesicle membrane {ECO:0000269|PubMed:18936157}; Peripheral membrane protein {ECO:0000269|PubMed:18936157}. Note=Localizes to pre- autophagosomal membrane. |
| Top Pathways | Regulation of autophagy, mTOR signaling pathway |