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Related Concept Videos

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 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...
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.
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...
CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing01:28

CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing

The CRISPR-Cas system serves as a bacterial defense mechanism against invading genetic elements such as viruses and plasmids, forming the foundation for its adaptation as a powerful genome-editing tool. Originally discovered in prokaryotes, this system has been repurposed to revolutionize genetic engineering across a wide range of organisms, including plants, animals, and humans. The core component, Cas9, is an endonuclease derived from Streptococcus pyogenes, capable of introducing...
CRISPR01:59

CRISPR

Genome editing technologies allow scientists to modify an organism’s DNA via the addition, removal, or rearrangement of genetic material at specific genomic locations. These types of techniques could potentially be used to cure genetic disorders such as hemophilia and sickle cell anemia. One popular and widely used DNA-editing research tool that could lead to safe and effective cures for genetic disorders is the CRISPR-Cas9 system. CRISPR-Cas9 stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short...

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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Evaluation of Caspase Activation to Assess Innate Immune Cell Death
10:23

Evaluation of Caspase Activation to Assess Innate Immune Cell Death

Published on: January 20, 2023

Caspases - an update.

Indrajit Chowdhury1, Binu Tharakan, Ganapathy K Bhat

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive, SW., Atlanta, GA 30310, USA.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
|July 8, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Caspases are cysteine proteases crucial for cell death and immunity. This review details their roles, regulation, and structures in mammals and other organisms.

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Evaluation of Caspase Activation to Assess Innate Immune Cell Death
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Published on: January 20, 2023

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Lighting Up the Pathways to Caspase Activation Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation
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Lighting Up the Pathways to Caspase Activation Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation

Published on: March 5, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Caspases are aspartate-specific cysteine proteases central to multicellular life.
  • They are classified into inflammatory and apoptotic subfamilies, with apoptotic caspases further divided into initiator and executioner types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review mammalian caspase family members, their cascade system, and regulatory molecules.
  • To discuss the apoptotic and non-apoptotic functions of caspases in cellular processes.
  • To explore recent advances in non-mammalian caspases and compare them to mammalian counterparts.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and discussion of existing research on caspases.
  • Analysis of molecular structures and physiological roles of various caspase types.
  • Comparative study of mammalian and non-mammalian caspase families.

Main Results:

  • Caspases orchestrate intracellular signals for apoptosis, immunity, proliferation, and differentiation.
  • Apoptotic caspases dismantle cells, while inflammatory caspases activate cytokines.
  • Regulation involves molecules like IAP, FLICE, calpain, and Ca(2+).

Conclusions:

  • Caspase cascade systems are vital for cellular life and death.
  • Understanding caspase structure and function is key to cellular regulation.
  • Non-mammalian caspases offer insights into evolutionary conservation and diverse roles.