ULK3
Description
The ULK3 (unc-51 like kinase 3) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 15.
ULK3 is a serine/threonine protein kinase that plays a crucial role in regulating both Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling and autophagy. In the absence of SHH ligand, ULK3 acts as a negative regulator of SHH signaling by interacting with SUFU, thereby inhibiting its kinase activity and preventing the phosphorylation of GLI proteins (GLI1, GLI2, and/or GLI3). However, in the presence of SHH, ULK3 dissociates from SUFU, undergoes autophosphorylation, and phosphorylates GLI2, leading to its activation and nuclear translocation, ultimately promoting SHH signaling. Additionally, ULK3 can also phosphorylate GLI1 and GLI3, albeit less efficiently. Furthermore, ULK3 acts as a regulator of autophagy, inducing this process following cellular senescence. These findings suggest that ULK3 plays a multifaceted role in cellular processes, influencing both signaling pathways and cellular fate.
ULK3 is also known as -.
