The protein encoded by this gene is a serine/threonine protein kinase involved in many cellular processes, including Golgi body membrane integrity and transport, cell migration and differentiation, MAPK8/JNK1 and Ras pathway signaling, MAPK1/3 (ERK1/2) pathway signaling, cell survival, and regulation of cell shape and adhesion. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2017].