Serine/threonine-protein kinase 36 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the STK36 gene.

This gene encodes a member of the serine/threonine kinase family of enzymes. This family member is similar to a Drosophila protein that plays a key role in the Hedgehog signaling pathway. This human protein is a positive regulator of the GLI zinc-finger transcription factors. Knockout studies of the homologous mouse gene suggest that defects in this human gene may lead to congenital hydrocephalus, possibly due to a functional defect in motile cilia. Because Hedgehog signaling is frequently activated in certain kinds of gastrointestinal cancers, it has been suggested that this gene is a target for the treatment of these cancers. Alternative splicing of this gene results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2011].
Function: Serine/threonine protein kinase which plays an important role in the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway by regulating the activity of GLI transcription factors. Controls the activity of the transcriptional regulators GLI1, GLI2 and GLI3 by opposing the effect of SUFU and promoting their nuclear localization. GLI2 requires an additional function of STK36 to become transcriptionally active, but the enzyme does not need to possess an active kinase catalytic site for this to occur. Required for postnatal development, possibly by regulating the homeostasis of cerebral spinal fluid or ciliary function. Essential for construction of the central pair apparatus of motile cilia.