The protein encoded by this gene is a member of serine/threonine protein kinase family. This kinase preferentially activates the kinases involved in the MAP kinase signaling pathway including MAPK7 and MAP2K4. This kinase has been shown to directly phosphorylate and activate Ikappa B kinases (IKKs), and thus plays a role in NF-kappa B signaling pathway. This kinase has also been found to bind and activate protein kinase C-related kinase 2 (PRKCL2/PRK2), which suggests its involvement in PRKCL2 regulated signaling process.