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Roles of Caspases in Necrotic Cell Death

Junying Yuan1, Ayaz Najafov1, Bénédicte F Py2

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA; Ludwig Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Cell
|December 17, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Caspases, initially known for inflammation and apoptosis, also regulate pyroptosis and necroptosis, expanding their known roles in cell death. This research highlights caspases

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cellular biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Caspases are key proteases historically linked to apoptosis and inflammation.
  • Recent research indicates caspases also play roles in other cell death pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted roles of caspases beyond apoptosis.
  • To investigate the involvement of caspases in pyroptosis and necroptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent findings on caspase functions.
  • Analysis of experimental data implicating caspases in regulated necrosis.

Main Results:

  • Caspases mediate pyroptosis, a pro-inflammatory form of programmed necrosis.
  • Caspases suppress necroptosis, another form of regulated cell death.
  • These findings broaden the known functions of caspases.

Conclusions:

  • Caspases are critical regulators of diverse cell death modalities, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis.
  • Understanding these roles is vital for comprehending development, homeostasis, and host defense.

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