The protein encoded by this gene shares 22% sequence identity with Hemophilus influenzae xylulokinase, and even higher identity to other gene products in C.elegans (45%) and yeast (31-35%), which are thought to belong to a family of enzymes that include fucokinase, gluconokinase, glycerokinase and xylulokinase. These proteins play important roles in energy metabolism. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2009].