https://www.cell.com/cell/pdf/S0092-8674(00)80434-1.pdf

Cytochrome c and dATP-Dependent Formation of Apaf-1/Caspase-9 Complex Initiates an Apoptotic Protease Cascade

Apoptosis, an evolutionarily conserved form of cell suicide, requires specialized machinery. The central component of this machinery is a proteolytic system involving a family of proteases called caspases. These enzymes participate in a cascade that is triggered in response to proapoptotic signals and culminates in cleavage of a set of proteins, resulting in disassembly of the cell. Understanding caspase regulation is intimately linked to the ability to rationally manipulate apoptosis for therapeutic gain.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/281/5381/1312.full.pdf

Caspases: Enemies Within

Induction of apoptotic program in cell-free extracts : requirement for datp and cytochrome c

Apoptosis by death factor.

The inflammasome: a molecular platform triggering activation of inflammatory caspases and processing of proIL-beta.

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)-converting enzyme cleaves the IL-1 beta precursor to mature IL-1 beta, an important mediator of inflammation. The identification of the enzyme as a unique cysteine protease and the design of potent peptide aldehyde inhibitors are described. Purification and cloning of the complementary DNA indicates that IL-1 beta-converting enzyme is composed of two nonidentical subunits that are derived from a single proenzyme, possibly by autoproteolysis. Selective inhibition of the enzyme in human blood monocytes blocks production of mature IL-1 beta, indicating that it is a potential therapeutic target.

S.M. Raju

Papers

A novel heterodimeric cysteine protease is required for interleukin-1 beta processing in monocytes.

Purification and characterization of active human interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme from THP.1 monocytic cells.

Expression and Immunoaffinity Purification of Human Inducible Nitric-oxide Synthase INHIBITION STUDIES WITH 2-AMINO-5,6-DIHYDRO-4H-1,3-THIAZINE