Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila
13:21

In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila

Published on: November 27, 2016

Role of caspases in apoptosis and disease

N Khanna1, N Singh

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi.

Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
|June 12, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Apoptosis is a programmed cell death process crucial for health. This review focuses on caspases, key proteases in apoptosis execution, and their therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is vital for homeostasis and defense against diseases like cancer and viral infections.
  • Caspases, a class of highly specific proteases, are central executioners of apoptosis.
  • Caspases are synthesized as inactive precursors requiring proteolytic processing for activation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of caspases in apoptosis.
  • To discuss caspase inhibitors and regulators.
  • To explore the therapeutic implications of targeting caspases in cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of molecular and cloning approaches.
  • Analysis of in vitro systems studying apoptosis.
  • Examination of caspase processing and substrate cleavage.

Main Results:

  • Caspases are essential for the morphological and biochemical events of apoptosis.
  • Processing of caspase precursors at aspartate residues yields active enzymes.
  • Active caspases cleave specific substrates, driving the apoptotic cascade.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding caspase activity is key to elucidating the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis.
  • Caspase inhibitors represent potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
  • Targeting caspases may enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy for leukemia and solid tumors.

More Related Videos

Exploring Caspase Mutations and Post-Translational Modification by Molecular Modeling Approaches05:56

Exploring Caspase Mutations and Post-Translational Modification by Molecular Modeling Approaches

Published on: October 13, 2022

Measuring Caspase Activity Using a Fluorometric Assay or Flow Cytometry05:29

Measuring Caspase Activity Using a Fluorometric Assay or Flow Cytometry

Published on: March 24, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
Caspases01:24

Caspases

Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside cells.
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...