Related Experiment Videos
Caspases and caspase inhibitors
P Villa1, S H Kaufmann, W C Earnshaw
1Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract:
Five years ago, little was known about mechanisms of apoptotic execution. Now, one class of cell-death gene, the cysteine and aspartases (caspases) has come under intensive study. This review discusses the two classes of caspases, the reasons why humans may have so many caspase genes, the growing list of caspase substrates, and viral and pharmacological caspase inhibitors.
Insights
Caspases, or cysteine and aspartases, are key cell-death genes. This review covers caspase functions, human gene diversity, substrates, and inhibitors, advancing our understanding of apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Apoptotic execution mechanisms were poorly understood five years ago.
- Cysteine and aspartases (caspases) have emerged as a critical class of cell-death genes.
- Intensive research has focused on understanding caspase roles in programmed cell death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current knowledge on caspases.
- To discuss the different classes of caspases.
- To explore the significance of multiple caspase genes in humans.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on caspases.
- Analysis of the known caspase substrate repertoire.
- Examination of viral and pharmacological caspase inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Identification of two main classes of caspases.
- Hypotheses regarding the evolutionary reasons for human caspase gene multiplicity.
- Compilation of a growing list of identified caspase substrates.
- Overview of identified viral and pharmacological caspase inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Caspases are central mediators of apoptosis.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate caspase functions and regulation.
- Understanding caspase inhibitors holds therapeutic potential for diseases involving apoptosis.