Description
Serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in autophagy in response to starvation (PubMed: 18936157, PubMed: 21460634, PubMed: 21795849, PubMed: 25040165). Acts upstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase PIK3C3 to regulate the formation of autophagophores, the precursors of autophagosomes (PubMed: 18936157, PubMed: 21460634, PubMed: 21795849, PubMed: 25040165). Part of regulatory feedback loops in autophagy: acts both as a downstream effector and negative regulator of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) via interaction with RPTOR (PubMed: 21795849). Activated via phosphorylation by AMPK and also acts as a regulator of AMPK by mediating phosphorylation of AMPK subunits PRKAA1, PRKAB2 and PRKAG1, leading to negatively regulate AMPK activity (PubMed: 21460634). May phosphorylate ATG13/KIAA0652 and RPTOR; however such data need additional evidences (PubMed: 18936157). Plays a role early in neuronal differentiation and is required for granule cell axon formation (PubMed: 11146101). May also phosphorylate SESN2 and SQSTM1 to regulate autophagy (PubMed: 25040165). Phosphorylates FLCN, promoting autophagy (PubMed: 25126726)