Enables protein kinase activity. Involved in several processes, including determination of adult lifespan; nematode male tail tip morphogenesis; and regulation of axon extension. Located in axon and neuronal cell body. Expressed in body wall musculature; motor neurons; pharyngeal muscle cell; and touch receptor neurons. Is an ortholog of human ULK1 (
unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1) and ULK2 (
unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 2).