nsy-1 encodes a MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) that is orthologous to the mammalian apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK) family of protein kinases; nsy-1 activity is required for chemotaxis, egg laying, pathogen response, and response to anoxia; NSY-1 activity is activated by the calmodulin kinase UNC-43, and is required for lateral signalling that leads to asymmetric olfactory neuron fates; NSY-1 interacts with SEK-1, and is expressed in the intestine, hypodermis, rectal gland cells, and neurons.
Enables MAP kinase kinase kinase activity; mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase binding activity; and protein serine/threonine/tyrosine kinase activity. Involved in several processes, including defense response to other organism; determination of adult lifespan; and positive regulation of macromolecule biosynthetic process. Located in axon cytoplasm; neuronal cell body; and postsynaptic density. Expressed in head; rectal gland cell; and tail. Used to study amphetamine abuse. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in Huntington's disease and perinatal necrotizing enterocolitis. Is an ortholog of human MAP3K5 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 5).