Human Serine;threonine-protein kinase TAO2,TAOK2 ELI

Serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in different processes such as membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies formation DNA damage response and MAPK14/p38 MAPK stress-activated MAPK cascade.

Phosphorylates itself, MBP, activated MAPK8, MAP2K3, MAP2K6 and tubulins.

Activates the MAPK14/p38 MAPK signaling pathway through the specific activation and phosphorylation of the upstream MAP2K3 and MAP2K6 kinases.

In response to DNA damage, involved in the G2/M transition DNA damage checkpoint by activating the p38/MAPK14 stress-activated MAPK cascade, probably by mediating phosphorylation of upstream MAP2K3 and MAP2K6 kinases.

Isoform 1, but not isoform 2, plays a role in apoptotic morphological changes, including cell contraction, membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies formation.

This function, which requires the activation of MAPK8/JNK and nuclear localization of C-terminally truncated isoform 1, may be linked to the mitochondrial CASP9-associated death pathway.

Isoform 1 binds to microtubules and affects their organization and stability independently of its kinase activity.

Prevents MAP3K7-mediated activation of CHUK, and thus NF-kappa-B activation, but not that of MAPK8/JNK.

May play a role in the osmotic stress-MAPK8 pathway.

Isoform 2, but not isoform 1, is required for PCDH8 endocytosis.

Following homophilic interactions between PCDH8 extracellular domains, isoform 2 phosphorylates and activates MAPK14/p38 MAPK which in turn phosphorylates isoform 2.

This process leads to PCDH8 endocytosis and CDH2 cointernalization.

Both isoforms are involved in MAPK14 phosphorylation.

{ECO:0000269|PubMed:10660600, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11279118, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12639963, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12665513, ECO:0000269|PubMed:13679851, ECO:0000269|PubMed:16893890, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17158878, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17396146}.