Recombinant Human DAP6 protein

DAP6 (Death-Associated Protein 6) is a recombinant protein of interest in biomedical research, derived from the DAP kinase family known for its roles in apoptosis, autophagy, and immune regulation. Originally identified through functional screening for genes involved in interferon-γ-induced cell death, DAP6 is hypothesized to participate in signaling pathways that link cellular stress responses to programmed cell death. Its recombinant form is engineered using genetic cloning techniques to enable scalable production and study in vitro or in model systems.

Structurally, recombinant DAP6 typically retains functional domains critical for its activity, such as kinase or interaction motifs, depending on isoform design. Production involves inserting the DAP6 gene into expression vectors (e.g., bacterial, yeast, or mammalian systems), followed by purification via affinity tags (e.g., His-tag). Post-translational modifications, if required, are achieved using eukaryotic hosts like HEK293 or insect cells.

Research applications include elucidating DAP6’s mechanistic role in apoptosis, its crosstalk with pathways like mTOR or NF-κB, and its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer or autoimmune diseases. In drug discovery, recombinant DAP6 serves as a tool for high-throughput screening of kinase inhibitors or apoptosis modulators. It also aids in structural studies (e.g., crystallography) to map binding sites for drug design. Challenges include optimizing solubility and activity, as overexpression in heterologous systems may disrupt native folding. Current studies focus on validating its interactions and exploring clinical relevance, positioning recombinant DAP6 as a versatile reagent for decoding cell death mechanisms and developing targeted therapies.