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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.

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.

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Updated: Jun 1, 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

Effector caspases and leukemia.

Ying Lu¹, Guo-Qiang Chen

¹Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.

International Journal of Cell Biology

|June 8, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study reviews effector caspases, crucial for apoptosis and other processes. It highlights their roles in both cell death and non-apoptotic functions, particularly concerning leukemia oncoproteins.

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Measuring Caspase Activity Using a Fluorometric Assay or Flow Cytometry

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Published on: March 24, 2023

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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

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Cell Biology

Background:

Caspases are aspartate-specific cysteine proteases central to apoptosis.
Mammalian caspases are categorized into inflammatory and apoptotic groups.
Apoptotic caspases are further classified into initiator and effector types.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the functions of individual effector caspases.
To explore their involvement in both apoptotic and non-apoptotic cellular events.
To examine the interplay between effector caspases and leukemia-specific oncoproteins.

Main Methods:

Literature review and synthesis of existing research.
Analysis of caspase family classification and function.
Focus on effector caspases (caspase-3, -6, -7) and their substrates.

Main Results:

Effector caspases are key mediators of programmed cell death.
These proteases also participate in non-apoptotic cellular signaling pathways.
Specific leukemia oncoproteins modulate effector caspase activity.

Conclusions:

Effector caspases possess diverse roles beyond apoptosis.
Understanding these roles is critical for comprehending cancer biology, especially leukemia.
Targeting effector caspases may offer therapeutic strategies for leukemia.