STK36 is a serine/threonine kinase that functions primarily in sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling and ciliary biology. Within the Shh pathway, STK36 regulates GLI transcription factors by opposing SUFU activity and promoting their nuclear localization [UniProt Function]. Recent structural studies reveal that STK36 works with the pseudokinase ULK4 to phosphorylate GLI2 at the ciliary tip, with this interaction mediated by phosphorylation-dependent SUMOylation that drives biomolecular condensation 1. STK36 is essential for postnatal development and ciliogenesis, particularly for cerebrospinal fluid flow and motile ciliary function; hypomorphic STK36 mutations cause progressive hydrocephalus and multiple defects in axonemal structure and ciliary orientation 2. Beyond developmental roles, STK36 promotes docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer by driving epithelial-mesenchymal transition, with elevated STK36 expression correlating with advanced disease stage and decreased overall survival 3. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting STK36 are under consideration as anti-cancer therapeutics for Hedgehog-dependent cancers 4. The gene is genetically associated with primary ciliary dyskinesia, familial nephrotic syndrome, and neurological conditions including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia.