Serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in autophagy in response to starvation (PubMed:
18936157, PubMed:
21460634, PubMed:
21795849, PubMed:
23524951, PubMed:
25040165, PubMed:
31123703). 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). Phosphorylates AMBRA1 in response to autophagy induction, releasing AMBRA1 from the cytoskeletal docking site to induce autophagosome nucleation (PubMed:
20921139).
