initiator caspases

[initiator caspase]

This term refers to some members of a group of evolutionarily conserved cysteine proteases the cleavage substrate of which contains an aspartate residue (a cysteine aspartase; see: caspases). These enzymes, known also as death initiator caspases (for a more general term see: also cell death caspases), are part of a proteolytic cascades that involves cleavage of many different cellular protein substrates vital for cell functions (so-called death substrates). The activity of these enzymes culminates in cell death by apoptosis. With reference to the apoptotic process initiator caspases are being referred to also as activator caspases, upstream caspases or apical caspases ... ... ... ... ... Subscribe to continue reading! ... ...