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Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

DAP-kinase--protector or enemy in apoptotic cell death

Regine Schneider-Stock1, Albert Roessner, Oliver Ullrich

  • 1Department of Pathology, Head of Molecular Genetics Division, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany. regine.schneider-stock@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de

The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology
|July 13, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Death-associated protein (DAP)-kinase, a tumor suppressor gene, regulates programmed cell death and is frequently inactivated in cancers. Its expression serves as a prognostic marker, and DAP-kinase is a potential therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cell Death Pathways

Background:

  • Death-associated protein (DAP)-kinase is a novel serine/threonine kinase subfamily member.
  • It functions as a tumor suppressor gene involved in programmed cell death.
  • DAP-kinase has dual roles in eliminating premalignant cells and cytoprotection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the multifaceted roles of DAP-kinase in cellular processes.
  • To explore the significance of DAP-kinase inactivation in cancer development.
  • To evaluate DAP-kinase as a potential therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of DAP-kinase structure and interaction domains.
  • Investigation of DAP-kinase expression and methylation patterns in various cancer types.
  • Assessment of DAP-kinase's role in neuronal apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • DAP-kinase exhibits diverse functions, including tumor suppression and regulation of apoptosis.
  • Aberrant promoter methylation frequently inactivates DAP-kinase in numerous cancers.
  • DAP-kinase expression levels correlate with cancer prognosis.

Conclusions:

  • DAP-kinase is a critical regulator of apoptosis and a tumor suppressor.
  • Its inactivation via methylation is common in cancer, making it a prognostic marker.
  • DAP-kinase presents a promising target for future pro- and anti-apoptotic therapies.

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