Atypical MAPK protein that regulates several process such as autophagy, ciliogenesis, protein trafficking/secretion and genome integrity, in a kinase activity-dependent manner (  ). Controls both, basal and starvation-induced autophagy throught its interaction with GABARAP, MAP1LC3B and GABARAPL1 leading to autophagosome formation, SQSTM1 degradation and reduced MAP1LC3B inhibitory phosphorylation . Regulates primary cilium formation and the localization of ciliary proteins involved in cilium structure, transport, and signaling . Prevents the relocation of the sugar-adding enzymes from the Golgi to the endoplasmic reticulum, thereby restricting the production of sugar-coated proteins . Upon amino-acid starvation, mediates transitional endoplasmic reticulum site disassembly and inhibition of secretion . Binds to chromatin leading to MAPK15 activation and interaction with PCNA, that which protects genomic integrity by inhibiting MDM2-mediated degradation of PCNA . Regulates DA transporter (DAT) activity and protein expression via activation of RhoA . In response to H(2)O(2) treatment phosphorylates ELAVL1, thus preventing it from binding to the PDCD4 3'UTR and rendering the PDCD4 mRNA accessible to miR-21 and leading to its degradation and loss of protein expression . Also functions in a kinase activity-independent manner as a negative regulator of growth (By similarity). Phosphorylates in vitro FOS and MBP ( , ). During oocyte maturation, plays a key role in the microtubule organization and meiotic cell cycle progression in oocytes, fertilized eggs, and early embryos (By similarity). Interacts with ESRRA promoting its re-localization from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and then prevents its transcriptional activity .
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Cilium basal body, Cell junction, Tight junction, Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Microtubule organizing center, Centrosome, Centriole, Cytoplasmic vesicle, Autophagosome, Golgi apparatus, Nucleus, Cytoplasm, Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Spindle
Co-localizes to the cytoplasm only in presence of ESRRA . Translocates to the nucleus upon activation . At prometaphase I, metaphase I (MI), anaphase I, telophase I, and metaphase II (MII) stages, is stably detected at the spindle (By similarity).
Widely expressed with a maximal expression in lung and kidney.