The induction of caspase-dependent programmed cell death triggers a tightly-controlled cascade of events with the initiator caspases activating effector caspases
Caspases are a family of cysteine-dependent aspartate specific proteases involved in the destruction of cells.
In a normal, healthy human being, damaged or mutated cells are regularly destroyed to protect the rest of the body.
The induction of caspase-dependent programmed cell death triggers a tightly-controlled cascade of events with the initiator caspases activating effector caspases.
These effector caspases not only activate other effector caspases and provide feedback to initiator caspases, they also cleave cellular substrates resulting in morphological changes such as DNA fragmentation, membrane blebbing or apoptotic body formation.
These changes, characteristics of apoptosis, ultimately lead to the death of a cell.
Caspases, however, may not be the only enzymes involved in cell death; cell death may still occur even if all caspases are all blocked.
Because of their important role in apoptosis and cell signaling, and their identification as drug-screening targets, there is a recognized need for a wide range of caspase substrates and inhibitors.
As a leading provider of premium quality peptides and detection reagents, AnaSpec has introduced an extensive list of caspase substrates (including both chromogenic and fluorogenic variations) and caspase inhibitors.
