NAD(+) hydrolase, which plays a key role in non-apoptotic cell death by regulating NAD(+) metabolism (PubMed:27671644). In response to stress, homooligomerizes and catalyzes cleavage of NAD(+) into ADP-D-ribose (ADPR) and nicotinamide; NAD(+) cleavage promoting non-apoptotic neuronal cell death (PubMed:31439792). In males, involved in non-apoptotic death of the linker cell which guides gonad elongation during larval development (PubMed:22363008). Required for both innate immune response and specification of AWC(OFF) neuron (PubMed:15048112, PubMed:15123841, PubMed:15625192). During late embryogenesis, it acts downstream of CAMKII (unc-43) to regulate specification of asymmetric odorant receptors in AWC(OFF) neuron via the nsy-1/ASK1 pmk-1/p38 MAP kinase signaling cascade. Required to localize nsy-1 to postsynaptic regions of AWC neuron, suggesting that it may act by assembling a signaling complex that regulate odorant receptor expression (PubMed:15625192). Also plays a central role in resistance to infection to a broad range of bacterial and fungi pathogens, possibly by activating pmk-1, independently of the NF-kappa-B pathway. Required for expression of antimicrobial peptides nlp-29 and nlp-31 (PubMed:15048112, PubMed:15123841). Its role in immune response and neuron specification may be mediated by the same nsy-1/ASK1 pmk-1/p38 MAP kinase cascade signaling pathway (PubMed:15048112, PubMed:15123841, PubMed:15625192). Involved in the response to anoxic conditions probably by activating the p38 pathway composed of nsy-1/sek-1/pmk-1 (PubMed:21212236). Involved in regulation of the serotonergic response of ADF neurons to pathogenic food (PubMed:23505381). In addition, plays a role in the up-regulation of gcs-1 upon arsenite treatment, most likely through activation of pmk-1, to confer protection against toxicity induced by heavy metals (PubMed:25204677). Regulates expression of antimicrobial peptide nlp-29 in response to fungal infection or physical injury. H2O + NAD(+) = ADP-D-ribose + H(+) + nicotinamide Homodimer (PubMed:15048112, PubMed:27671644). Interacts with rab-1, pal-1 and unc-43 (PubMed:15048112, PubMed:15625192). Highly expressed in hypodermis. Localizes to postsynaptic regions of axons. The SAM domains mediate the localization to postsynaptic regions of neurons. The TIR domain mediates NAD(+) hydrolase (NADase) activity. Self-association of TIR domains is required for NADase activity. RNAi-mediated knockdown results in reduced survival and reduced pmk-1 phosphorylation in response to the heavy metal arsenite. Belongs to the SARM1 family.