Ulk1 - unc-51 like kinase 1

Enables Hsp90 protein binding activity; protein kinase binding activity; and protein serine/threonine kinase activity. Involved in several processes, including cellular response to amino acid starvation; macroautophagy; and response to mitochondrial depolarisation. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including nervous system development; protein autophosphorylation; and regulation of neurotrophin TRK receptor signaling pathway. Located in several cellular components, including cytoplasmic vesicle membrane; neuronal cell body; and phagophore assembly site membrane. Part of Atg1/ULK1 kinase complex. Is expressed in several structures, including central nervous system and retina. Orthologous to human ULK1 (unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]