Novel Functions of Death-Associated Protein Kinases through Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Related Signals

  • Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Oct 4;19(10):3031. doi: 10.3390/ijms19103031.
Mohamed Elbadawy  1  2 ,  Tatsuya Usui  3 ,  Hideyuki Yamawaki  4 ,  Kazuaki Sasaki  5
Affiliations
  • 1. Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan. [email protected].
  • 2. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Elqaliobiya, Toukh 13736, Egypt. [email protected].
  • 3. Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan. [email protected].
  • 4. Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan. [email protected].
  • 5. Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan. [email protected].
PMID: 30287790 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103031
Abstract

Death associated protein kinase (DAPK) is a calcium/calmodulin-regulated serine/threonine kinase; its main function is to regulate cell death. DAPK family proteins consist of DAPK1, DAPK2, DAPK3, DAPK-related apoptosis-inducing protein kinases (DRAK)-1 and DRAK-2. In this review, we discuss the roles and regulatory mechanisms of DAPK family members and their relevance to diseases. Furthermore, a special focus is given to several reports describing cross-talks between DAPKs and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) family members in various pathologies. We also discuss small molecule inhibitors of DAPKs and their potential as therapeutic targets against human diseases.

Keywords
DAPK; ERK; JNK; MAPK; p38.