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The CASBAH: a searchable database of caspase substrates
1Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Genetics, The Smurfit Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
Cell Death and Differentiation
|February 3, 2007
Summary
Caspases, proteases crucial for apoptosis and inflammation, degrade numerous substrates. This study compiles known caspase substrates and introduces The Casbah, a searchable database, to aid research into caspase-dependent cellular events.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is regulated by caspases, a family of aspartic acid-specific proteases.
- Caspases also play key roles in inflammation by maturing pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- While hundreds of caspase substrates are known, their precise roles in apoptosis remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compile a comprehensive list of all known caspase substrates.
- To create a searchable web resource, The Casbah (www.casbah.ie), for caspase substrate information.
- To discuss unresolved questions regarding caspase functions in apoptosis and inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review to identify and compile caspase substrates.
- Development of a searchable online database (The Casbah).
- Analysis of known caspase substrates and their roles.
Main Results:
- A substantial portion of the proteome is degraded by caspases during apoptosis.
- Approximately 400 substrates for apoptosis-associated caspases have been identified, with more expected.
- Only two confirmed substrates for inflammatory caspases have been reported.
Conclusions:
- Caspase-mediated substrate degradation is extensive during apoptosis.
- The Casbah database provides a valuable resource for studying caspase substrates.
- Further research is needed to fully understand caspase-driven mechanisms in apoptosis and inflammation.
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