What is the role of caspase-3 in apoptosis?

Caspase-3 is known as an executioner caspase in apoptosis because of its role in coordinating the destruction of cellular structures such as DNA fragmentation or degradation of cytoskeletal proteins (1).

Does caspase-3 cause apoptosis?

Caspases are crucial mediators of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Among them, caspase-3 is a frequently activated death protease, catalyzing the specific cleavage of many key cellular proteins.

What are caspases and what is their function?

Caspases (cysteine-aspartic proteases) are proteolytic enzymes largely known for their role in controlling cell death and inflammation.

How does caspase-3 play a role in programmed cell death?

PMID: 10200555 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4400476 Abstract Caspases are crucial mediators of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Among them, caspase-3 is a frequently activated death protease, catalyzing the specific cleavage of many key cellular proteins.

How does caspase 3 regulate prostaglandin E2?

One downstream effector that caspase 3 regulates is prostaglandin E 2, which can potently stimulates growth of surviving tumor cells. Deficiency of caspase 3 either in tumor cells or in tumor stroma caused significant tumor sensitivity to radiotherapy in xenograft or mouse tumors.

What is the relationship between caspase 3 and cancer recurrence?

Deficiency of caspase 3 either in tumor cells or in tumor stroma caused significant tumor sensitivity to radiotherapy in xenograft or mouse tumors. In human cancer patients, higher levels of activated caspase 3 in tumor tissues are correlated with significantly increased rate of recurrence and deaths.

What does it mean when caspase 3 is elevated?

Elevated levels of a fragment of Caspase-3, p17, in the bloodstream is a sign of a recent myocardial infarction. It is now being shown that caspase-3 may play a role in embryonic and hematopoietic stem cell differentiation.