ULK2
ULK2 is the closest paralog of ULK1 and, like it, forms an active autophagy-initiating complex with ATG13, FIP200 and ATG101 under mTORC1 release and AMPK stimulation. The two kinases are functionally redundant in most basal and starvation-induced autophagy, which is why genetic studies often delete both. ULK2 is expressed broadly with particularly high levels in brain, and it contributes to neuronal autophagy, axon maintenance and stress tolerance in neurons. Divergent regulation and non-autophagic roles are only beginning to be explored, including links to metabolism and cancer-cell survival. Recombinant ULK2 permits comparison with ULK1 in inhibitor-selectivity and complex-assembly studies.
