Serine/threonine protein kinase involved in the cytoplasm to vacuole transport (Cvt) and found to be essential in autophagy, where it is required for the formation of autophagosomes. Involved in the clearance of protein aggregates which cannot be efficiently cleared by the proteasome. Required for selective autophagic degradation of the nucleus (nucleophagy) as well as for mitophagy which contributes to regulate mitochondrial quantity and quality by eliminating the mitochondria to a basal level to fulfill cellular energy requirements and preventing excess ROS production. Also involved in endoplasmic reticulum-specific autophagic process, in selective removal of ER-associated degradation (ERAD) substrates. Plays a key role in ATG9 and ATG23 cycling through the pre-autophagosomal structure and is necessary to promote ATG18 binding to ATG9 through phosphorylation of ATG9. Catalyzes phosphorylation of ATG4, decreasing the interaction between ATG4 and ATG8 and impairing deconjugation of PE-conjugated forms of ATG8 (By similarity). Autophagy is essential to fungal development, production of appressorium turgor, and pathogenicity in rice blast disease (PubMed:17416896). ATP + L-seryl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-seryl-[protein] ATP + L-threonyl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-threonyl-[protein] Homodimer. Forms a ternary complex with ATG13 and ATG17. Uniformly detected in conidia, mycelia and appressoria (at protein level). Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. Ser/Thr protein kinase family. APG1/unc-51/ULK1 subfamily.