The function of STK36 (serine/threonine kinase 36, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000163482) is as follows. Serine/threonine protein kinase which plays an important role in the smoothened pathway by regulating the activity of GLI transcription factors (PubMed:10806483, PubMed:28543983, PubMed:31279575, PubMed:38096226). Controls the activity of the transcriptional regulators GLI1, GLI2 and GLI3 by opposing the effect of SUFU and promoting their nuclear localization (PubMed:10806483, PubMed:31279575, PubMed:38096226). Acts by mediating phosphorylation of GLI proteins, promoting their dissociation from SUFU (PubMed:28543983, PubMed:31279575, PubMed:38096226). Also catalyzes phosphorylation of ULK4 adapter (PubMed:38096226). GLI2 requires an additional function of STK36 to become transcriptionally active, but the enzyme does not need to possess an active kinase catalytic site for this to occur (PubMed:10806483). Required for postnatal development, possibly by regulating the homeostasis of cerebral spinal fluid or ciliary function (PubMed:28543983). Essential for construction of the central pair apparatus of motile cilia (PubMed:28543983). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:10806483, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28543983, ECO:0000269|PubMed:31279575, ECO:0000269|PubMed:38096226}.