Human Caspases: Activation, Specificity, and Regulation

Caspases are intracellular proteases that propagate programmed cell death, proliferation, and inflammation. Activation of caspases occurs by a conserved mechanism subject to strict cellular regulation. Once activated by a specific stimulus, caspases execute limited proteolysis of downstream substrat...

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Published inThe Journal of biological chemistry Vol. 284; no. 33; pp. 21777 - 21781
Main Authors Pop, Cristina, Salvesen, Guy S.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Elsevier Inc 14.08.2009
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Subjects
Animals
Apoptosis
Caspases - genetics
Caspases - metabolism
Caspases - physiology
Cell Differentiation
Cell Proliferation
Cell Survival
Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
Humans
Models, Biological
Protein Structure, Tertiary
Signal Transduction
Substrate Specificity
Thematic Minireview Series
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Summary:Caspases are intracellular proteases that propagate programmed cell death, proliferation, and inflammation. Activation of caspases occurs by a conserved mechanism subject to strict cellular regulation. Once activated by a specific stimulus, caspases execute limited proteolysis of downstream substrates to trigger a cascade of events that culminates in the desired biological response. Much has been learned of the mechanisms that govern the activation and regulation of caspases, and this minireview provides an update of these areas. We also delineate substantial gaps in knowledge of caspase function, which can be approached by techniques and experimental paradigms that are currently undergoing development.
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ISSN:0021-9258
1083-351X
DOI:10.1074/jbc.R800084200