This is a family of conserved proteins which were originally described as death-associated-protein-3 (DAP-3). The proteins carry a P-loop DNA-binding motif, and induce apoptosis [1]. DAP3 has been shown to be a pro-apoptotic factor in the mitochondrial matrix [2] and to be crucial for mitochondrial biogenesis and so has also been designated as MRP-S29 (mitochondrial ribosomal protein subunit 29).

1: Structure-function analysis of an evolutionary conserved protein, DAP3, which mediates TNF-alpha- and Fas-induced cell death. Kissil JL, Cohen O, Raveh T, Kimchi A; EMBO J. 1999;18:353-362. PMID:9889192

2: The apoptosis mediator mDAP-3 is a novel member of a conserved family of mitochondrial proteins. Berger T, Brigl M, Herrmann JM, Vielhauer V, Luckow B, Schlondorff D, Kretzler M; J Cell Sci. 2000;113:3603-3612. PMID:11017876