Converts transient diacylglycerol (DAG) signals into prolonged physiological effects, independently of PKC (PubMed:16613841, PubMed:16613842). Role in the regulation of growth and neuromuscular control of movement (PubMed:16613841, PubMed:16613842). Involved in immune response to S.aureus bacterium by activating transcription factor hlh-30 downstream of phospholipase plc-1 (PubMed:27184844). ATP + L-seryl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-seryl-[protein] ATP + L-threonyl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-threonyl-[protein] Activated by DAG and phorbol esters. Phorbol-ester/DAG-type domain 1 binds phorbol ester with high affinity and mediates accumulation at the cell periphery. Phorbol-ester/DAG-type domain 2 binds phorbol ester with low affinity but may mediate initial contact, resulting in a conformational change allowing previously occluded domain 1 to anchor the kinase. Phosphorylation on Thr-588 is then also required for activation and may also result in a further conformational change. Translocation to the cell membrane is required for kinase activation. On activation, the protein may migrate back to the cytoplasm. Highly expressed in embryos and at lower levels through the four larval stages in adults. Present in a region bounded by the anterior and posterior bulbs of the pharynx and an area of the tail containing the lumbar, dorsorectal and pre-anal ganglia. Expressed in neurons. The PH domain inhibits PKD catalytic activity in the absence of DAG, either by direct steric occlusion or distortion of the PKD catalytic cleft. Prolonged phosphorylation at Thr-588 results in ubiquitination and degradation. Loss of movement due to severe or complete loss of muscle contraction near the anus resulting in partial paralysis of the tail region (PubMed:16613841). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in a shortened lifespan, prevents transcription factor hlh-30 nuclear translocation during S.aureus infection and reduces survival following infection (PubMed:27184844). Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. CAMK Ser/Thr protein kinase family. PKD subfamily.