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.
