The invention relates to genes and proteins of the THAP (THanatos (death)-Associated Protein) family comprising a THAP domain, and their use in diagnostics, treatment of disease, and in the identification of molecules for the treatment of disease. The invention also relates to the Par4 protein and SLC chemokine pathways, including the interaction of Par4 and SLC with THAP family proteins, and the recruitment and localization of Par4 to PML nuclear bodies.