Caspases: killer proteases

DW Nicholson, NA Thornberry - Trends in biochemical sciences, 1997 - cell.com
DW Nicholson, NA Thornberry
Trends in biochemical sciences, 1997cell.com
Caspases (cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinases) mediate highly specific proteolytic
cleavage events in dying cells, which collectively manifest the apoptotic phenotype. The key
and central role that these enzymes play in a biochemical cell-suicide pathway has been
conserved throughout the evolution of multicellular eukaryotes.
Abstract
Caspases (cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinases) mediate highly specific proteolytic cleavage events in dying cells, which collectively manifest the apoptotic phenotype. The key and central role that these enzymes play in a biochemical cell-suicide pathway has been conserved throughout the evolution of multicellular eukaryotes.
cell.com