Overview:

ULK4, or Unc-51-like kinase 4, is a Ser/Thr protein kinase that is a member of the APG1/unc-51/ULK1 subfamily. ULK4 contains five HEAT repeats and a catalytic kinase domain. The ULK4 gene is conserved in many species including chimpanzee, dog, cow, mouse, rat, chicken, zebrafish, A.thaliana, and rice (1). ULK4 has been implicated as a gene involved in the development of hydrocephalus (2). This neurologic disorder in animal models is being used to elucidate factors responsible for the excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in hydrocephalic humans.

Gene Aliases:

DKFZp434E1822; FAM7C1; FLJ20574; REC01035

Genbank Number:

NM_017886

References:

1. Krupnova T et al: Microtubule-associated kinase-like protein RUNKEL needed [corrected] for cell plate expansion in Arabidopsis cytokinesis. Curr Biol. 2009 Mar 24;19(6):518-23.

2. Vogel, P. et al: Congenital Hydrocephalus in Genetically Engineered Mice. Vet Pathol. 2011 Jul 11.