Pseudokinase which may act as an adapter for kinases sad-1 and par-4 and thereby is involved in several developmental processes. Regulates cell-autonomously both neuronal polarity and synaptic organization when bound to sad-1. Required for sad-1 localization to synapses (PubMed:20023164). Required to establish germline stem cell (GSC) quiescence during dauer development, to promote cell shedding during embryogenesis and to control asymmetric cell division of the Q.p neuroblast lineage, probably when bound to par-4 (PubMed:20110331, PubMed:22801495, PubMed:23267054). May be involved in maintaining the integrity of the early embryonic cortex when bound to par-4 (PubMed:20110331). Interacts with sad-1 (PubMed:20023164). Interacts with par-4 (PubMed:20110331). Localizes in punctate structures along the neurites of GABAergic motoneurons. Co-localizes with sad-1 at synapses (PubMed:20023164). Co-localizes with par-4 at the cell cortex of the early embryo. Cell cortex localization is regulated by par-4 (PubMed:20110331). Expressed in nervous system, pharynx and excretory canal (PubMed:20023164). Expressed in germline (PubMed:20110331). Expressed in embryo. The protein kinase domain is predicted to be catalytically inactive. Ectopic expression of pre-synaptic reporter snb-1-GFP in ASI sensory neurons. Along the dorsal nerve cord of DD motoneurons, pre-synaptic puncta appear diffuse or smaller and synapse localization of sad-1 is disrupted. Germline hyperplasia and loss of aak-2 phosphorylation during dauer development (PubMed:20110331). During neuroblast division, daughter cell size asymmetry in the Q.p division is defective (PubMed:23267054). Animals are slightly stiff but with active locomotion (PubMed:20023164). In par-4 (it33) mutants, causes embryonic lethality (PubMed:20023164). In ced-3 (n3692) mutants, impaired cell shedding during embryogenesis which results in the generation of an ectopic excretory cell (PubMed:22801495). In addition, these double mutants produce additional AVM or PVM mechanosensory neurons (PubMed:23267054). Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. STE Ser/Thr protein kinase family. STE20 subfamily.