Required for MAP kinase p38 (MAPK11, MAPK12, MAPK13 and/or MAPK14) activation during gastrulation. Required for down-regulation of E-cadherin during gastrulation by regulating E-cadherin protein level downstream from NCK-interacting kinase (NIK) and independently of the regulation of transcription by FGF signaling and Snail (By similarity). Required for starvation-induced ATG9A trafficking during autophagy. Interacts with MAPK14. Interacts with ATG9A. Highly expressed in testis, moderately in brain and pituitary gland. Expressed in several fetal tissues, including lung, brain, thymus and kidney. Expression is down-regulated in malignant prostate tissues. Belongs to the SPT20 family. Intron retention.