Mammalian caspases

The postmitochondrial events of apoptosis include activation of the caspases. Cytochrome c binds to the protein Apaf-1 in the cytosol, resulting in the recruitment and activation of caspase-9, which in turn activates cas-pase-3 (Figs 35-4, 35-5). Fourteen different mammalian caspases have been identified and each may play a key role... 

Eamshaw, W. C., Martins, L. M., and Kaufmann, S. H., 1999, Mammalian caspases structure, activation, substrates, and functions during apoptosis. Anna Rev Biochem 68 383-424. 

Earnshaw, W.C., Martins, L.M. and Kaufmann, S.H. Mammalian Caspases Structure, Activation, Substrates and Functions during Apoptosis (1999) Ann. Rev. Biochem. 68, 383-424. 

Earnshaw WC, Martins LM, Kaufmann SH (1999), Mammalian caspases structure,... 

Caspases belong to the family of cystein proteases that cleave adjacent to aspartate residues in the substrate. Fourteen mammalian caspases have been identified and divided into three classes. The first class is the inflammatory caspases, caspase 1,4,... 

Caspases are the main proteins involved in the execution of apoptosis (Troy and Salvesen, 2002). They are a family of cysteine aspartate proteases with a conserved QACXG motif at the active site. To date, 13 mammalian caspases have been identified (Lamkanfi et al., 2002). Synthesized as inactive precursors or zymogens, they can be classified based on their structure, mode of activation, cleavage specificity, and function. According to their function caspases can be subdivided into three groups, shown in Fig. 1 ... 

Figure 21 (a) Domain structures of mammalian caspases (b) the caspase cascades and the initiation of apoptosis. Apaf-1, apoptotic protease activation... 

Earnshaw. W. C, Martins. L. M., and Kaulinatm. 8. IL 19i) j Mammalian caspases Structure, aclivalion. subsiralcs. and luik-tions during apoptosis.. Annu. Kev, /Inidiem. 68 484 424. 

To date, 14 mammalian caspase sequences (named caspases 1 -14) have been reported, of which eleven are of human origin. With respect to function, caspases are grouped into two biologically distinct subfamilies. One subfamily mediates initiation (initiator caspases, caspases-8, -9) or execution (executioner or effector caspases, cas-pases-3, -6 and -7) of the apoptotic program. Members of the other subfamily (cas-pases-1, -4, -5, -11, -12, and -14) are involved in inflammatory processes by processing pro-inflammatory cytokines. 

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