O75385

ULK1 plays a crucial role in initiating autophagy, a vital cellular process that degrades and recycles cellular components, maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to stress conditions. This function is particularly important in various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, where autophagy can influence cell survival and death. ULK1 forms a complex with ULK2, and both proteins share significant homology with UNC-51 kinase from Caenorhabditis elegans and APG1 kinase in yeast, which are also involved in autophagy regulation. Mapping to human chromosome 12q24.3, ULK1 is ubiquitously expressed across tissues, highlighting its fundamental role in cellular processes.