ULK

ULK (Unc-51 Like Autophagy Activating Kinase) complexes are pivotal in initiating autophagy, a cellular degradation and recycling process essential for maintaining cellular health and homeostasis. Comprising several proteins including ULK1 and ULK2, these complexes respond to cellular stress signals, such as nutrient deprivation, by activating the downstream components required for the autophagic machinery to encapsulate and degrade cellular debris, damaged organelles, and misfolded proteins. Given its critical role in cellular cleansing and survival, the ULK pathway is an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in diseases characterized by defective autophagy, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and infections. Modulating ULK activity could potentially enhance or suppress autophagy, providing therapeutic benefits in various clinical contexts.