ULK1 is a serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in autophagy in response to starvation. It 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. It is 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. It may phosphorylate ATG13/KIAA0652 and RPTOR, however such data need additional evidences and plays a role early in neuronal differentiation and is required for granule cell axon formation. Alias Symbols: ATG1, ATG1A, UNC51, Unc51.1, hATG1 Protein Interaction Partner: SESN2, SQSTM1, ATG16L1, EXOC8, EXOC2, BECN1, RALB, AMBRA1, ULK1, UBC, TRAF6, MBP, ATG13, MAP1LC3C, MAP1LC3A, MAP1LC3B, GABARAPL1, GABARAPL2, GABARAP, MLST8, RPTOR, MTOR, PPP1CA, ATG4B, CDC37, G3BP1, RB1CC1, USP10, PRKAG1, PRKAB2, PRKAA2, PRKAA1, SYNGAP1, Protein Size: 1050