Atypical MAPK protein. Phosphorylates microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and MAPKAPK5. The precise role of the complex formed with MAPKAPK5 is still unclear, but the complex follows a complex set of phosphorylation events: upon interaction with atypical MAPKAPK5, ERK3/MAPK6 is phosphorylated at Ser-189 and then mediates phosphorylation and activation of MAPKAPK5, which in turn phosphorylates ERK3/MAPK6. May promote entry in the cell cycle (By similarity).