DAPK

The DAPK group comprises death-associated protein kinases, calcium/calmodulin-regulated serine/threonine kinases defined by an N-terminal kinase domain, a calmodulin-binding regulatory segment, and cytoskeletal-interaction motifs. DAPK1, the founding member, carries ankyrin repeats and a death domain and promotes apoptosis downstream of interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor signaling, phosphorylating myosin regulatory light chain during membrane blebbing. The group also includes DAPK2, DAPK3, and the DRAK kinases. DAPK family members act as tumor suppressors, and their promoter methylation occurs frequently in cancers. They additionally regulate autophagy, anoikis, and inflammation, positioning them at the interface between cell death and survival decisions.