Catalyzes the phosphorylation of pantothenate the first step in CoA biosynthesis (PubMed:12860978). May play a role in the physiological regulation of the intracellular CoA concentration (PubMed:16897480). Functionally redudant with PANK2 (PubMed:16897480). (R)-pantothenate + ATP = (R)-4'-phosphopantothenate + ADP + H(+) Regulated by feedback inhibition by malonyl-CoA. Cofactor biosynthesis; coenzyme A biosynthesis; CoA from (R)-pantothenate: step 1/5. Highly expressed in leaves and developing seeds. Expressed in roots, stems and flowers. No visible phenotype under normal growth conditions, but homozygous double mutants pank1-1 and pank2-1 are embryonic lethal. Belongs to the type II pantothenate kinase family.