ULK3

Serine/threonine protein kinase that acts as a regulator of Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling and autophagy. Acts as a negative regulator of SHH signaling in the absence of SHH ligand: interacts with SUFU, thereby inactivating the protein kinase activity and preventing phosphorylation of GLI proteins (GLI1, GLI2 and/or GLI3). Positively regulates SHH signaling in the presence of SHH: dissociates from SUFU, autophosphorylates and mediates phosphorylation of GLI2, activating it and promoting its nuclear translocation. Phosphorylates in vitro GLI2, as well as GLI1 and GLI3, although less efficiently. Also acts as a regulator of autophagy: following cellular senescence, able to induce autophagy.

Full Name

Unc-51 Like Kinase 3

Function

Biological Process

Biological Process autophagosome organization Source:GO_Central1 Publication
Biological Process autophagy Source:UniProtKB1 Publication
Biological Process cellular senescence Source:UniProtKB1 Publication
Biological Process fibroblast activation Source:CACAO1 Publication
Biological Process negative regulation of smoothened signaling pathway Source:UniProtKB1 Publication
Biological Process peptidyl-serine phosphorylation Source:GO_Central1 Publication
Biological Process positive regulation of smoothened signaling pathway Source:UniProtKB2 Publications
Biological Process protein autophosphorylation Source:UniProtKB2 Publications
Biological Process smoothened signaling pathway Source:FlyBase1 Publication

Cellular Location

Cytoplasm
Localizes to pre-autophagosomal structure during cellular senescence.

PTM

Autophosphorylated. Autophosphorylation is blocked by interaction with SUFU.