ULK1 Antibody - #AF7649

Serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in autophagy in response to starvation. Acts upstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase PIK3C3 to regulate the formation of autophagophores, the precursors of autophagosomes. Part of regulatory feedback loops in autophagy: acts both as a downstream effector and negative regulator of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) via interaction with RPTOR. Activated via phosphorylation by AMPK and also acts as a regulator of AMPK by mediating phosphorylation of AMPK subunits PRKAA1, PRKAB2 and PRKAG1, leading to negatively regulate AMPK activity. May phosphorylate ATG13/KIAA0652 and RPTOR; however such data need additional evidences. Plays a role early in neuronal differentiation and is required for granule cell axon formation. May also phosphorylate SESN2 and SQSTM1 to regulate autophagy.

Autophosphorylated. Phosphorylated under nutrient-rich conditions; dephosphorylated during starvation or following treatment with rapamycin. Under nutrient sufficiency, phosphorylated by MTOR/mTOR, disrupting the interaction with AMPK and preventing activation of ULK1 (By similarity). In response to nutrient limitation, phosphorylated and activated by AMPK, leading to activate autophagy.

Acetylated by KAT5/TIP60 under autophagy induction, promoting protein kinase activity.

Cytoplasm>Cytosol. Preautophagosomal structure.
Note: Under starvation conditions, is localized to puncate structures primarily representing the isolation membrane that sequesters a portion of the cytoplasm resulting in the formation of an autophagosome.

Ubiquitously expressed. Detected in the following adult tissues: skeletal muscle, heart, pancreas, brain, placenta, liver, kidney, and lung.

Interacts with GABARAP and GABARAPL2. Interacts (via C-terminus) with ATG13. Part of a complex consisting of ATG13, ATG101, ULK1 and RB1CC1. Associates with the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) through an interaction with RPTOR; the association depends on nutrient conditions and is reduced during starvation. Interacts with FEZ1; SCOC interferes with FEZ1-binding. Interacts with TBC1D14. Interacts (phosphorylated form) with TRIM5. When phosphorylated at Ser-317, interacts with MEFV and BECN1 simultaneously. Interacts with TRIM21 and IRF3, in the presence of TRIM21. Interacts with SESN2. Interacts with SQSTM1. Interacts with C9orf72. Interacts with WDR45.

Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. Ser/Thr protein kinase family. APG1/unc-51/ULK1 subfamily.