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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...

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...

Overview of Cell Death

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...

Autophagic Cell Death

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Quantification of Immunostained Caspase-9 in Retinal Tissue

Quantification of Immunostained Caspase-9 in Retinal Tissue

Published on: July 25, 2022

Caspase-6 and neurodegeneration.

Rona K Graham¹, Dagmar E Ehrnhoefer, Michael R Hayden

¹Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V5Z 4H4.

Trends in Neurosciences

|October 25, 2011

Summary

Caspase-6, a protease, plays a role beyond apoptosis in neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's and Alzheimer's. Inhibiting caspase-6 may offer new therapeutic strategies for these conditions.

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Quantification of Immunostained Caspase-9 in Retinal Tissue

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Monitoring Cleaved Caspase-3 Activity and Apoptosis of Immortalized Oligodendroglial Cells using Live-cell Imaging and Cleaveable Fluorogenic-dye Substrates Following Potassium-induced Membrane Depolarization

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In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila

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Published on: November 27, 2016

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Neuroscience
Cell Biology

Background:

Caspases are cysteine proteases involved in apoptosis.
Caspase-6 was initially classified as an executioner caspase.
Evidence suggests caspase-6 has roles beyond apoptosis, including in neurodegeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current evidence for caspase-6's role in neurodegenerative disorders.
To explore potential therapeutic applications of targeting caspase-6.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on caspase-6 activity in neurodegenerative diseases.
Analysis of caspase-6's substrate cleavage and its implications.

Main Results:

Caspase-6 cleaves other caspases (2, 3, 8) and nuclear lamins.
Active caspase-6 is found in post-mortem brains of Huntington's and Alzheimer's patients before apoptotic morphology is evident.
Caspase-6's presence suggests a role distinct from its executioner function.

Conclusions:

Caspase-6 is implicated in neurodegenerative processes.
Targeting caspase-6 with selective inhibitors may be a promising therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative disorders.