Anti-STK36

This gene encodes a member of the serine/threonine kinase family of enzymes. This family member is similar to a Drosophila protein that plays a key role in the Hedgehog signaling pathway. This human protein is a positive regulator of the GLI zinc-finger transcription factors. Knockout studies of the homologous mouse gene suggest that defects in this human gene may lead to congenital hydrocephalus, possibly due to a functional defect in motile cilia. Because Hedgehog signaling is frequently activated in certain kinds of gastrointestinal cancers, it has been suggested that this gene is a target for the treatment of these cancers. Alternative splicing of this gene results in multiple transcript variants. Protein function: Serine/threonine protein kinase which plays an important role in the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway by regulating the activity of GLI transcription factors (PubMed:10806483). Controls the activity of the transcriptional regulators GLI1, GLI2 and GLI3 by opposing the effect of SUFU and promoting their nuclear localization (PubMed:10806483). GLI2 requires an additional function of STK36 to become transcriptionally active, but the enzyme does not need to possess an active kinase catalytic site for this to occur (PubMed:10806483). Required for postnatal development, possibly by regulating the homeostasis of cerebral spinal fluid or ciliary function. Essential for construction of the central pair apparatus of motile cilia. [The UniProt Consortium]