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Caspases

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 Pathway

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 Pathway

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...

Apoptosis

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 Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Measuring Caspase Activity Using a Fluorometric Assay or Flow Cytometry

Measuring Caspase Activity Using a Fluorometric Assay or Flow Cytometry

Published on: March 24, 2023

Caspase-2: controversial killer or checkpoint controller?

Tanja Kitevska¹, Damian M S Spencer, Christine J Hawkins

¹Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia.

Apoptosis : an International Journal on Programmed Cell Death

|May 30, 2009

Summary

Caspase-2, a unique protease, has roles in cell cycle regulation and tumor suppression. Its precise functions in apoptosis and inflammation remain under investigation due to limited research tools.

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Measuring Caspase Activity Using a Fluorometric Assay or Flow Cytometry

Measuring Caspase Activity Using a Fluorometric Assay or Flow Cytometry

Published on: March 24, 2023

Evaluation of Caspase Activation to Assess Innate Immune Cell Death

Evaluation of Caspase Activation to Assess Innate Immune Cell Death

Published on: January 20, 2023

Lighting Up the Pathways to Caspase Activation Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation

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 crucial cysteine proteases involved in apoptosis and inflammation.
Caspase-2, closely resembling nematode caspase CED-3, is less understood than other mammalian caspases.
Limited availability of specific reagents and subtle phenotypes in knockout mice hinder research.

Purpose of the Study:

To critically review the current understanding of caspase-2's biochemistry and biology.
To explore the controversial roles of caspase-2 in cellular processes.
To highlight the challenges in defining caspase-2's physiological functions.

Main Methods:

Literature review of existing studies on caspase-2.
Analysis of biochemical and genetic data.
Critical evaluation of evidence linking caspase-2 to apoptosis and cell cycle regulation.

Main Results:

Caspase-2's role in apoptosis is less established compared to other caspases.
Emerging evidence suggests caspase-2 regulates the cell cycle.
Caspase-2 may function as a tumor suppressor.
Challenges remain in defining its precise physiological role and regulatory factors.

Conclusions:

Caspase-2 is a unique protease with potential roles beyond apoptosis.
Further research is needed to clarify its functions in cell cycle control and tumor suppression.
Development of specific reagents is crucial for advancing caspase-2 research.