This gene encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase that plays an important role in cellular stress response. This kinase activates certain potassium, sodium, and chloride channels, suggesting an involvement in the regulation of processes such as cell survival, neuronal excitability, and renal sodium excretion. This enzyme is activated by protein phosphorylation and degraded via the ubiquitination and proteasome pathway. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. A pseudogene of this gene was identified on chromosome 12.