Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1, DCAMKL1) is a serine/threonine kinase that belongs to the CaM kinase family and shares homology with the neuronal microtubule binding protein doublecortin. DCLK1 is thought to be involved in calcium signaling pathways controlling neuronal development in the embryonic brain. The kinase also functions in the mature nervous system and is highly expressed in regions of active neurogenesis in the neocortex and cerebellum. Research studies suggest that the DCLK1 kinase is highly expressed in subpopulations of cells within the colon and gastric epithelium and in the pancreas. The nature of these cell populations, whether normal, stem-like, or tumor-initiating, is unclear.