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Caspase 2 in apoptosis, the DNA damage response and tumour suppression: enigma no more?

Sharad Kumar1

  • 1Centre for Cancer Biology, Department of Haematology, SA Pathology, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA5000, Australia. sharad.kumar@health.sa.gov.au

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|November 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cancer often involves altered apoptosis and cell survival proteins, particularly in signaling pathways and the Bcl-2 family. Emerging research highlights caspase 2

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cell Death Pathways

Background:

  • Aberrations in apoptosis and cell survival proteins are hallmarks of cancer.
  • These dysregulations frequently involve signaling proteins controlling apoptotic machinery activation and the Bcl-2 family, which regulates caspase activation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the emerging roles of caspase 2 in cancer.
  • To understand the implications of caspase 2's functions in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent evidence on caspase 2.
  • Analysis of caspase 2's involvement in DNA damage response, cell cycle regulation, and tumor suppression.

Main Results:

  • Caspase 2, a highly conserved caspase, demonstrates potential roles beyond its known functions.
  • Evidence suggests caspase 2 is implicated in DNA damage response, cell cycle control, and tumor suppression.

Conclusions:

  • The multifaceted roles of caspase 2 in cellular processes are crucial for understanding cancer development.
  • These findings open new avenues for cancer treatment strategies targeting caspase 2.

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