Death-associated protein kinase 1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the DAPK1 gene. Death-associated protein kinase 1 is a positive mediator of gamma-interferon induced programmed cell death. DAPK1 encodes a structurally unique 160-kD calmodulin dependent serine-threonine kinase that carries 8 ankyrin repeats and 2 putative P-loop consensus sites. It is a tumor suppressor candidate. In melanocytic cells DAPK1 gene expression may be regulated by MITF. Depletion of DAPK1 results in inhibition of tumor cell count and volume growth in cellular and animal models of triple receptor-negative breast cancer, from individuals with p53-mutant cancers. This has not been demonstrated in actual patients.