Protein kinase that participates in the induction of vulva and has roles in fertility and viability. Acts downstream of the Ras protein let-60 (PubMed:8483497, PubMed:11861555, PubMed:14724126). Required for progression of developing oocytes through the pachytene stage (PubMed:19826475). Plays a role in responses to M.nematophilum-mediated bacterial infection by promoting tail swelling and preventing constipation (PubMed:15268855). Positively regulates lifespan upstream of mek-2 and mpk-1 (PubMed:20624915). ATP + L-seryl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-seryl-[protein] ATP + L-threonyl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-threonyl-[protein] Binds 2 Zn(2+) ions per subunit. Interacts with cdf-1 in a zinc-dependent manner which promotes its activity. RNAi-mediated knockdown causes a defect in pachytene progression resulting in a proximal gonad devoid of nuclei. The phenotype is more severe in gck-1 (km15) mutant (PubMed:19826475). RNAi-mediated knockdown in adults decreases lifespan (PubMed:20624915). Gld-1 binds to the 3'-UTR of lin-45 mRNA and is able to protect nonsense-containing lin-45 mRNA from nonsense mediated decay (NMD). Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. TKL Ser/Thr protein kinase family. RAF subfamily.