Diacylglycerol (DAG)-dependent serine/threonine-protein kinase that phosphorylates a range of cellular proteins (Probable). Phosphorylates mlk-1, a component of the JNK pathway. Involved in axon regeneration after injury probably by activating the JNK pathway (PubMed:23072806). Plays a role in resistance to fungal infection and in wound healing by promoting expression of antimicrobial peptide nlp-29 in the epidermis downstream of gpa-12 and plc-3 and upstream of tir-1-p38-like pathway (PubMed:22470487, PubMed:19380113). Probably by regulating neuronal transmission in ALA neurons, regulates the decrease in pharyngeal pumping during the quiescent state that precedes each larval molt, downstream of lin-3 and receptor let-23 and phospholipase plc-3 (PubMed:17891142). ATP + L-seryl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-seryl-[protein] ATP + L-threonyl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-threonyl-[protein] Up-regulation of nlp-29 is severely impaired in the hyp7 and vulva epidermal cells following fungal infection by D.coniospora or physical injury. Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. AGC Ser/Thr protein kinase family. PKC subfamily.