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Apoptosis in neuronal cells: role of caspases
A M Gorman1, S Orrenius, S Ceccatelli
1Institute of Environmental Medicine, Division of Toxicology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Apoptosis is a controlled form of cell death involving cascades of degradative events. Proteolysis during apoptosis is largely due to the activity of a family of cysteine proteases called caspases. In recent years different roles for members of this family have been revealed. In the central nervous system caspase-2 is highly expressed in the brain during development although many caspases are expressed at low levels in the adult. However, an involvement of caspases in apoptosis of mature neurons has been demonstrated in vivo, where specific inhibitors of caspases are found to protect against ischemic injury. We have reviewed the evidence for the existence of caspases in the central nervous system and their activation during neuronal cell death.
Insights
Caspases, key proteases in programmed cell death, are involved in mature neuron apoptosis within the central nervous system. Caspase inhibitors show protective effects against ischemic injury in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Apoptosis is a regulated process of cell death.
- Caspases, a family of cysteine proteases, execute proteolysis during apoptosis.
- Caspase-2 is notably expressed in the developing brain, with other caspases present at lower levels in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for caspases in the central nervous system.
- To examine the activation of caspases during neuronal cell death.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on caspases in the central nervous system.
- Analysis of in vivo data regarding caspase involvement in neuronal injury.
Main Results:
- Caspases play a role in the apoptosis of mature neurons.
- Inhibition of caspases demonstrates neuroprotective effects against ischemic damage.
- Evidence supports the presence and activation of caspases in the central nervous system.
Conclusions:
- Caspases are implicated in central nervous system neuronal cell death.
- Targeting caspases may offer therapeutic strategies for neurological conditions like ischemic injury.