Q9UER7

Daxx is a multifunctional protein that resides in multiple locations in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. Daxx plays a crucial role in the regulation of apoptosis, particularly in the context of the FAS-mediated apoptotic pathway. When the FAS receptor is activated by its ligand, activation triggers a cascade of events leading to programmed cell death, which is essential for maintaining immune system balance and tissue homeostasis. Daxx is a key player in this process, as Daxx interacts with the death domain of the FAS receptor, facilitating the activation of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and promoting apoptosis. Notably, while Daxx does not possess a death domain, Daxx overexpression can enhance FAS-mediated apoptosis by activating the JNK pathway. This pathway operates alongside, yet distinctly from, the FAS-FADD-FLICE pathway, which is another critical route for apoptosis. The Daxx pathway is sensitive to the apoptotic inhibitor protein Bcl-2, highlighting unique regulatory mechanisms in cell death.