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A near death experience: The secret stem cell life of caspase-3

Mahasen Sarji1, Roi Ankawa2, Matan Yampolsky2

  • 1Faculty of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|May 9, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Caspase-3, crucial for programmed cell death, also regulates stem cell functions and tissue regeneration. Targeting this enzyme offers therapeutic potential for stem cell and cancer treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Caspase-3 is a key mediator of apoptosis (programmed cell death).
  • Emerging research highlights significant non-apoptotic functions of caspase-3.
  • These roles extend to various cell types, notably stem cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the critical involvement of caspase-3 in stem cell regulation.
  • To explore its role in maintaining stem cell populations and tissue regeneration.
  • To discuss pathological consequences and therapeutic targeting of caspase-3.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on caspase-3.
  • Analysis of studies investigating caspase-3 in stem cells and cancer.
  • Synthesis of findings on non-apoptotic functions and therapeutic potential.

Main Results:

  • Caspase-3 regulates stem cell properties, including self-renewal and differentiation.
  • It plays a role in maintaining the stem cell niche and supporting tissue repair.
  • Dysfunction of caspase-3 is implicated in stem cell abnormalities and cancer progression.

Conclusions:

  • Caspase-3 has critical non-apoptotic functions in stem cells.
  • Understanding these roles is vital for regenerative medicine and cancer therapy.
  • Targeting caspase-3 presents a promising therapeutic strategy.
Keywords:
ApoptosisApoptotic signalingCaspase-3RegenrationRepairStem cell

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