[5][6][7] The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the MAP kinase family.

MAP kinases act as an integration point for multiple biochemical signals, and are involved in a wide variety of cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, transcription regulation and development.

This protein is a neuronal-specific form of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs).

Through its phosphorylation and nuclear localization, this kinase plays regulatory roles in the signaling pathways during neuronal apoptosis.

Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.