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Related Concept Videos

Caspases01:24

Caspases

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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...
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Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

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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...
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Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

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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...
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The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

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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...
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The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

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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...
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Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

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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...
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Updated: Mar 2, 2026

In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila
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In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila

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Caspase-dependent non-apoptotic processes in development.

Yu-Ichiro Nakajima1,2, Erina Kuranaga2,3

  • 1Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences (FRIS), Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan.

Cell Death and Differentiation
|May 20, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Caspases execute apoptosis and control non-lethal cellular functions. This review explores how caspase activity is regulated for vital processes and discusses their novel roles in adult homeostasis and physiology.

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In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila
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Detecting Anastasis In Vivo by CaspaseTracker Biosensor
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Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Caspases are key proteases executing apoptosis.
  • Caspase activity also regulates non-lethal cellular processes like proliferation and differentiation.
  • Genetic studies in Drosophila and C. elegans have illuminated in vivo roles of caspases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the intricate control of caspase activity in vital cellular processes.
  • To discuss the novel, non-apoptotic roles of caspase signaling in organismal homeostasis and physiology.
  • To highlight findings from genetic studies in model organisms.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of genetic studies in Drosophila and C. elegans.
  • Analysis of caspase-mediated proteolysis in non-apoptotic cellular functions.
  • Discussion of subcellular localization, timing, and duration of caspase activity control.

Main Results:

  • Caspase activity is precisely controlled at subcellular and temporal levels to prevent full apoptosis.
  • Non-apoptotic caspase signaling plays significant roles in adult homeostasis and physiology.
  • In vivo studies reveal complex caspase functions in development and aging.

Conclusions:

  • Caspase activity is tightly regulated to mediate both cell death and diverse non-lethal cellular functions.
  • Non-apoptotic caspase signaling is crucial for maintaining adult homeostasis and normal physiology.
  • Further research into caspase regulation offers insights into development, aging, and disease.