Rabbit Polyclonal DAP Antibody

DAP (Death-associated protein) antibodies are immunological tools used to detect proteins involved in regulated cell death pathways, particularly apoptosis and autophagy. The term "DAP" often refers to Death-associated protein kinase (DAPk), a calcium/calmodulin-regulated serine/threonine kinase that acts as a tumor suppressor. Discovered in the 1990s, DAPk family members (DAPk1. DAPk2. DRP-1. etc.) play critical roles in stress-induced apoptosis, membrane blebbing, and autophagy by interacting with cytoskeletal components and signaling pathways like p53 and MAPK. Dysregulation of DAPk expression due to epigenetic silencing or mutations is linked to cancer progression, neurodegenerative diseases, and immune disorders. Antibodies targeting DAPk isoforms enable researchers to study their localization, expression levels, and post-translational modifications in tissues or cell lines. These antibodies are widely utilized in Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to investigate mechanisms of cell death, tumor suppression, and therapeutic responses. Recent studies also explore DAPk's role in viral infection responses and inflammatory diseases. Commercial DAP antibodies are typically validated for specificity against conserved epitopes, though cross-reactivity between family members requires careful experimental controls. Their applications span basic research, drug development, and biomarker discovery in oncology and neurology.