Serine/threonine-protein kinase that functions in the sphingolipid-mediated signaling pathway, regulating organization of the plasma membrane (By similarity). May phosphorylate PKC1 to activate the cell integrity MAPK cascade during cell wall and membrane stress (PubMed:22339665, PubMed:23087368). May regulate sphingolipid metabolism upstream of YPK1 (PubMed:22339665). ATP + L-seryl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-seryl-[protein] ATP + L-threonyl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-threonyl-[protein] The protein kinase domain contains a 228 residue insertion between the ATP binding site and the active site. Cell integrity defects (PubMed:23087368). Decreases virulence in a moth infection model (PubMed:23087368). Decreases virulence in a mouse systemic infection model (PubMed:22339665). Decreases cell population growth in macrophages (PubMed:23087368). Abnormal sphingolipid metabolism (PubMed:22339665). Sensitive to: high temperature; osmotic stress; sodium dodecyl sulfate; Congo Red; caffeine; sirolimus; Calcofluor White; amphotericin B; fluconazole; OSU-03012; hydrogen peroxide; diamide; sodium nitrite; myriocin (phytosphingosine biosynthesis inhibitor); aureobasidin A (inositol-containing sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibitor); phytosphingosine; OSU-03012 and fluconazole (PubMed:22339665, PubMed:23087368). Decreases PKC1 activation (PubMed:23087368). Decreases MPK1 phosphorylation during cell wall stress induced by Calcofluor White and fluconazole (PubMed:22339665, PubMed:23087368). Decreases melanin levels (PubMed:23087368). Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. AGC Ser/Thr protein kinase family. PDPK1 subfamily.