DAPK2

DAPK2 (death-associated protein kinase 2) is a Ca²⁺/calmodulin-regulated serine/threonine kinase that functions in apoptosis, autophagy, cytoskeletal regulation, and immune signaling pathways.^[1][2] Mechanistically, DAPK2 belongs to the DAPK family and transduces cell death signals through its catalytic activity while integrating calcium-dependent regulatory inputs.^[3][4] DAPK2 also participates in autophagic processes, including the formation of autophagic vesicles and the regulation of autophagy-associated signaling networks.^[4][1] In cancer-related models, DAPK2 has been linked to tumor-associated survival pathways, where it promotes autophagy-dependent NF-κB activation and influences resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in thyroid cancer cells.^[5] Beyond tumor biology, DAPK2 expression increases during myeloid differentiation and enhances neutrophil maturation, supporting a role in hematopoietic development.^[6] Compared with related isoforms, DAPK2 shares catalytic-domain homology with DAPK1 and DAPK3 but displays distinct interaction partners, subcellular localization patterns, and biological functions, indicating nonredundant regulatory activities within the DAPK family.^[1][2] For experimental applications, DAPK family kinase inhibitors have been developed to modulate pro-apoptotic signaling pathways, and DAPK2 remains a relevant target for studies investigating apoptosis, autophagy, inflammatory signaling, and cancer-associated stress responses.^[2][7]