The gene encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase that promotes cell cycle progression through G1 by phosphorylation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27Kip1), which causes nuclear export and degradation. The encoded protein is also thought to function in the adult nervous system and the gene has been associated with schizophrenia. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, May 2010].