Protein kinase that is necessary for a-locus-dependent processes, such as conjugation tube formation, filament formation, and maintenance of filamentous growth, and for a-locus-independent processes, such as tumor induction and teliospore germination. ATP + L-seryl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-seryl-[protein] ATP + L-threonyl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-threonyl-[protein] ATP + L-tyrosyl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-tyrosyl-[protein] Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. STE Ser/Thr protein kinase family. MAP kinase kinase subfamily.