STK32C is a serine/threonine-protein kinase, classified under EC 2.7.11.1. Like other members of the protein kinase superfamily and the Ser/Thr protein kinase family, it is expected to act by transferring phosphate groups to serine or threonine residues on substrate proteins. No specific substrates, pathways or subcellular location have been annotated for this protein in UniProt, so its precise molecular role remains to be defined.

The STK32C gene encodes a protein that belongs to the serine/threonine kinase 32 family according to HGNC. Other members of this group include STK32B. NCBI Gene reports that the family member is thought to be functional in brain, based on the high expression levels observed there. Alternative splicing of the gene results in multiple transcript variants. The mouse ortholog is Stk32c, which allows comparative work in a widely used model organism.

The protein is also known as PKE and YANK3, and the symbol MGC23665 appears among its aliases. In terms of disease relevance, NCBI Gene notes that DNA methylation differences have been found in this gene in monozygotic twins who are discordant for adolescent depression. This is an epigenetic observation and does not by itself establish a mechanism, but it makes STK32C a candidate of interest for studies of brain function and mood-related phenotypes.