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Role of caspases and non-caspase proteases in cell death

Jisen Huai, Lars Jöckel, Karen Schrader

    F1000 Biology Reports
    |October 16, 2010
    PubMed

    Insights

    Caspases drive apoptosis, with new research clarifying their order, in vivo activity, and substrates. Non-caspase proteases also aid apoptosis, and novel insights explain cell population variability in this process.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Cell Biology
    • Molecular Biology

    Background:

    • Caspases are key executioners of apoptosis.
    • Understanding caspase activation and inhibition is crucial for cell death research.
    • Recent advancements have improved in vivo monitoring and substrate identification.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review recent data on caspase ordering and activity in vivo.
    • To explore the role of non-caspase proteases in apoptosis.
    • To provide insights into the mechanisms of apoptotic variability.

    Main Methods:

    • In vivo monitoring of caspase activity.
    • Substrate degradome analysis.
    • Review of recent experimental data.

    Main Results:

    • Detailed understanding of caspase intracellular ordering.
    • Identification of non-caspase proteases assisting apoptosis.
    • Novel insights into factors causing apoptotic variability.

    Conclusions:

    • Caspase-mediated apoptosis is a complex, multi-protease process.
    • Variability in apoptosis within cell populations is mechanistically driven.
    • Further research into caspase regulation and non-caspase proteases is warranted.

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