Description
DAPK2 or death-associated protein kinase 2 belongs to a family of proapoptotic Ca /calmodulin-regulated serine/threonine kinases. Overexpression of DAPK2 induces cell apoptosis. DAPK2 has been shown to be a novel Sp1-dependent target gene for E2F1 and Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) in cell death response. Both E2F1 and KLF6 strongly activate the DAPK2 promoter. DAPK2 plays a role in granulopoiesis where it is highly expressed. β-catenin can block anoikis of malignant kidney and intestinal epithelial cells and promote their anchorage-independent growth by down-regulating DAPK2. β-catenin-induced down-regulation of DAPK2 requires the presence of the transcription factor TCF-4