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In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila
Published on: November 27, 2016
Caspases rule the intracellular trafficking cartel
Catherine Duclos1, Christine Lavoie1, Jean-Bernard Denault1
1Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
The FEBS Journal
|April 4, 2017
Summary
During programmed cell death (apoptosis), caspases dismantle cellular proteins, including those vital for intracellular trafficking. This review explores how caspases disrupt the cell
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Apoptosis is a critical cellular process involving caspases, a family of proteases.
- Caspases execute cellular demise by cleaving numerous cellular proteins.
- Intracellular trafficking is essential for cellular function and communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms by which caspases target proteins involved in intracellular trafficking.
- To elucidate the consequences of caspase-mediated disruption of the trafficking machinery.
- To highlight the role of caspases in cellular dismantling through the lens of transport processes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on caspases and intracellular trafficking.
- Analysis of known caspase substrates and their roles in transport.
- Synthesis of findings on the impact of caspase activity on vesicular transport and protein localization.
Main Results:
- Caspases proteolyze key proteins regulating vesicle formation, movement, and fusion.
- Disruption of intracellular trafficking by caspases leads to cellular dysfunction and contributes to apoptotic morphology.
- Specific examples of targeted trafficking proteins and their functional impairment are discussed.
Conclusions:
- Caspase-mediated cleavage of trafficking proteins is a significant aspect of apoptosis.
- Targeting the transport machinery is a crucial strategy employed by caspases to ensure efficient cellular dismantling.
- Understanding these interactions provides insights into cell death pathways and potential therapeutic targets.
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