Serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in various processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, transformation and programmed cell death. Extracellular stimuli such as pro-inflammatory cytokines or physical stress stimulate the stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAP/JNK) signaling pathway. In this cascade, two dual specificity kinases MAP2K4/MKK4 and MAP2K7/MKK7 phosphorylate and activate MAPK9/JNK2. In turn, MAPK9/JNK2 phosphorylates a number of transcription factors, primarily components of AP-1 such as JUN and ATF2 and thus regulates AP-1 transcriptional activity. In response to oxidative or ribotoxic stresses, inhibits rRNA synthesis by phosphorylating and inactivating the RNA polymerase 1-specific transcription initiation factor RRN3. Promotes stressed cell apoptosis by phosphorylating key regulatory factors including TP53 and YAP1. In T-cells, MAPK8 and MAPK9 are required for polarized differentiation of T-helper cells into Th1 cells. Upon T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, is activated by CARMA1, BCL10, MAP2K7 and MAP3K7/TAK1 to regulate JUN protein levels. Plays an important role in the osmotic stress-induced epithelial tight-junctions disruption. When activated, promotes beta-catenin/CTNNB1 degradation and inhibits the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Participates also in neurite growth in spiral ganglion neurons. Phosphorylates the CLOCK-ARNTL/BMAL1 heterodimer and plays a role in the regulation of the circadian clock. Phosphorylates POU5F1, which results in the inhibition of POU5F1's transcriptional activity and enhances its proteosomal degradation. ATP + L-seryl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-seryl-[protein] ATP + L-threonyl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-threonyl-[protein] Activated by threonine and tyrosine phosphorylation by either of two dual specificity kinases, MAP2K4 and MAP2K7. MAP2K4 shows a strong preference for Tyr-185 while MAP2K7 phosphorylates Tyr-183 preferentially. Inhibited by dual specificity phosphatases, such as DUSP1. Interacts with MECOM (PubMed:10856240). Binds to at least four scaffolding proteins, MAPK8IP1/JIP-1, MAPK8IP2/JIP-2, MAPK8IP3/JIP-3/JSAP1 and SPAG9/MAPK8IP4/JIP-4. These proteins also bind other components of the JNK signaling pathway (By similarity). Interacts with NFATC4 (By similarity). Interacts with ATF7; the interaction does not phosphorylate ATF7 but acts as a docking site for ATF7-associated partners such as JUN (By similarity). Interacts with BCL10 (By similarity). Interacts with CTNNB1 and GSK3B (By similarity). Interacts with DCLK2 (By similarity). Interacts with MAPKBP1 (By similarity). Interacts with POU5F1; phosphorylates POU5F1 at 'Ser-347'. Found in a complex with SH3RF1, RAC2, MAP3K7/TAK1, MAP2K7/MKK7, MAPK8IP1/JIP1 and MAPK8/JNK1 (By similarity). Colocalizes with POU5F1 in the nucleus. The TXY motif contains the threonine and tyrosine residues whose phosphorylation activates the MAP kinases. Dually phosphorylated on Thr-183 and Tyr-185 by MAP2K7 and MAP2K4, which activates the enzyme. Autophosphorylated in vitro. Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. CMGC Ser/Thr protein kinase family. MAP kinase subfamily.