DAXX(death-domain associated protein) also known as DAP6(Death-associated protein 6) or BING2, was first discovered through its cytoplasmic interaction with the classical death receptor Fas. Human DAXX encodes a 740-amino acid polypeptide containing a nuclear localization signal. Functional analyses by Yang et al. (1997) demonstrated that Daxx binds to the Fas death domain and enhances Fas-mediated apoptosis. The authors suggested that DAXX and FADD define 2 distinct apoptotic pathways downstream of Fas. The DAXX gene is mapped to human chromosome 6p21.3 by somatic cell hybrid panels and fluorescence in situ hybridization, a region containing the HLA and putative autoimmune disease genes. MSP58 overexpression relieved DAXX-mediated transcriptional repression. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis with DAXX mutants showed that the N terminus of DAXX interacts with the C terminus of DMAP. Transient expression of DAXX or DMAP1 caused repression of glucocorticoid receptor-mediated transcription.