DAP‐kinase is a Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent, cytoskeletal‐associated protein kinase, with cell death‐inducing functions that depend on its catalytic activity Ectopic expression of DAP‐kinase induces cell death. (A) HeLa cells (5×105 cells/plate) were transfected with 20 μg DNA of pcDNA3 vector or with DAP‐kinase constructs cloned into the same vector. After 48 h, the cell cultures were split 1:5 and subjected to selection with G‐418. After 2–3 weeks the plates were stained with crystal violet. (B) HeLa cells (5×105 cells/plate) were transfected with 20 μg DNA of the empty pSBC‐bl plasmid, or with the vector which carries the wild‐type DAP‐kinase. The cells were grown for 48 h in the absence of tetracycline and stained with X‐Gal solution. The frequency of blue cells with an apoptotic rounded morphology was assessed by counting 600 total blue cells from six different fields coming from duplicate transfections. The arrow points to a transfected dying cell. IF THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY OR IS OWNED BY A THIRD PARTY, AS INDICATED IN THE CAPTION LINE, THEN FURTHER PERMISSION MAY BE NEEDED BEFORE ANY FURTHER USE. PLEASE CONTACT WILEY'S PERMISSIONS DEPARTMENT ON PERMISSIONS@WILEY.COM OR USE THE RIGHTSLINK SERVICE BY CLICKING ON THE 'REQUEST PERMISSIONS' LINK ACCOMPANYING THIS ARTICLE. WILEY OR AUTHOR OWNED IMAGES MAY BE USED FOR NON-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, SUBJECT TO PROPER CITATION OF THE ARTICLE, AUTHOR, AND PUBLISHER. EMBO J, Volume: 16, Issue: 5, Pages: 998-1008, First published: 01 March 1997, DOI: (10.1093/emboj/16.5.998)