caspase 3


caspase 3

A 32-kD cysteine-aspartic acid protease encoded by CASP3 on chromosome 4q34, which is related to ICE–IL-1 beta converting enzyme, and plays a key role in the execution-phase of apoptosis via poly-(ADP)-ribose-polymerase cleavage. Caspase 3 cleaves and activates caspases 6, 7 and 9, and is itself processed by caspases 8, 9 and 10. It is the key caspase in cleaving amyloid-beta 4A precursor protein, which is linked to neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease.
Normal expression
Caspase 3 is expressed on germinal centre B cells, plasma cells, and on scattered activated B cells.
Abnormal expression
Some non-Hodgkin lymphomas.