Ser/Thr protein kinase involved in salt tolerance, nutrient response; functions in regulation of Trk1p-Trk2p potassium transporter; overexpression affects the Fe-S and lipoamide containing proteins in the mitochondrion; required for lipoylation of Lat1p, Kgd2p and Gcv3p; partially redundant with Hal5p; has similarity to Npr1p; localizes to the cytoplasm and mitochondrion