The caspase antibodies and their importance to apoptosis research

The caspases are a group of cytosolic cysteine protease enzymes which play an essential role in apoptosis (programmed cell death). Antibody research has revealed some caspases are also involved in lymphocyte maturation. The caspase antibody database currently encompasses some 14 proteins.

Caspase antibodies have proven essential to autoimmune disease and cancer research, as disruptions in the apoptosis mechanism are known to be a major cause of tumor development and autoimmune disorders. Caspases are also being investigated as therapeutic tools in Alzheimer’s disease and ischemia, both characterized by unwanted apoptosis.

The caspases are expressed as inactive zymogens, or pro-forms. They are cleaved to release active enzymes following the initiation of apoptosis. Caspases are typically activated by other caspases in the caspase cascade, although activation can also occur via an autoproteolystic mechanism.

Apoptosis is triggered by the death receptors in response to various stimuli. The proteins of the human caspase cascade are subdivided into two groups:

Initiators - caspase 2, 8, 9 and 10. In response to death receptor signaling, these proteins initiate the cascade. Some initiators are involved at the start of the cascade, while others are activated further along the chain.

Activators – caspase 3, 6 and 7. These cleave key cellular proteins, such as those responsible for maintaining cytoskeletal structure, resulting in the morphological changes characteristic of cells undergoing apoptosis.

Cytokine activators, such as caspase 1, 4, 5, 12 and 13 play a role in processing certain cytokines, and are not directly involved with the cascade. Caspase 1, the first caspase to be purified, requires caspase 11 for activation. Its role is to cleave the IL-1 beta-precursor to its mature form.

The caspases have a number of regulatory proteins. These include the BIRC/IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) group, which in turn are modulated by SMAC/DIABLO and other complexes. Peptide and cell-permeability inhibitors are also involved. We at Novus Biologicals are one of the leading antibody suppliers for apoptosis research, with a wide range of antibodies targeting the caspase cascade.

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