Mitogen-activated serine/threonine protein kinase involved in mating; phosphoactivated by Ste7p; substrates include Ste12p, Far1p, Bni1p, Sst2p; inhibits invasive growth during mating by phosphorylating Tec1p, promoting its; inhibits recruitment of Ste5p, Cdc42p-mediated asymmetry and mating morphogenesis