The function of ALPK1 (alpha kinase 1, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000073331) is as follows. Serine/threonine-protein kinase that detects bacterial pathogen-associated molecular pattern metabolites (PAMPs) and initiates an innate immune response, a critical step for pathogen elimination and engagement of adaptive immunity (PubMed:28222186, PubMed:28877472, PubMed:30111836). Specifically recognizes and binds ADP-D-glycero-beta- D-manno-heptose (ADP-Heptose), a potent PAMP present in all Gram- negative and some Gram-positive bacteria (PubMed:30111836). ADP- Heptose-binding stimulates its kinase activity to phosphorylate and activate TIFA, triggering pro-inflammatory NF-kappa-B signaling (PubMed:30111836, PubMed:35868845, PubMed:38060563). May be involved in monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU)-induced inflammation by mediating phosphorylation of unconventional myosin MYO9A (PubMed:27169898). May also play a role in apical protein transport by mediating phosphorylation of unconventional myosin MYO1A (PubMed:15883161). May play a role in ciliogenesis (PubMed:30967659). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:15883161, ECO:0000269|PubMed:27169898, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28222186, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28877472, ECO:0000269|PubMed:30111836, ECO:0000269|PubMed:30967659, ECO:0000269|PubMed:35868845, ECO:0000269|PubMed:38060563}.