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Updated: May 20, 2026

In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila
Published on: November 27, 2016
Caspase-3 in the central nervous system: beyond apoptosis
Marcello D'Amelio1, Morgan Sheng, Francesco Cecconi
1Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, S. Lucia Foundation, via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143 Rome, Italy. m.damelio@hsantalucia.it
Abstract:
Caspase-3 has been identified as a key mediator of neuronal programmed cell death. This protease plays a central role in the developing nervous system and its activation is observed early in neural tube formation and persists during postnatal differentiation of the neural network. Caspase-3 activation, a crucial event of neuronal cell death program, is also a feature of many chronic neurodegenerative diseases. This traditional apoptotic function of caspase-3 is challenged by recent studies that reveal new cell death-independent roles for mitochondrial-activated caspase-3 in neurite pruning and synaptic plasticity. These findings underscore the need for further research into the mechanism of action and functions of caspase-3 that may prove useful in the development of novel pharmacological treatments for a diverse range of neurological disorders.
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