Catalyzes the phosphorylation of pantothenate to generate 4'-phosphopantothenate in the first and rate-determining step of coenzyme A (CoA) synthesis. (R)-pantothenate + ATP = (R)-4'-phosphopantothenate + ADP + H(+) Subject to allosteric regulation, exists in two distinct conformational states, a catalytically incompetent (or open) conformation stabilized by the binding of acetyl(acyl)-CoA, and a catalytically competent (or closed) conformation stabilized by ATP-binding (PubMed:27555321). Inhibited by acetyl-CoA and its thioesters which act as allosteric inhibitors and compete with the ATP-binding site (PubMed:30927326, PubMed:17631502, PubMed:20797618, PubMed:27555321). Inhibited by sulfonylureas and thiazolidinediones (PubMed:20797618). Activated by oleoylethanolamide, palmitoyl-carnitine and oleoyl-carnitine (PubMed:20797618). Cofactor biosynthesis; coenzyme A biosynthesis; CoA from (R)-pantothenate: step 1/5. Homodimer. Highly expressed in the liver. Belongs to the type II pantothenate kinase family.