Caspase and granzyme regulated events in apoptosis and inflammation

Abstract

The caspase and granzyme proteases are key regulators of both programmed cell death (apoptosis) and inflammation. They achieve this regulation through the limited proteolysis of protein substrates, this has the consequence of altering the function of the targeted proteins. During the course of apoptotic cell death the activation of the caspase cascade leads to the processing of hundreds of proteins within the cell that contribute to its physiological shutdown as well as the packaging of the dying cell for removal by phagocytes. Upon sensing of microbial patterns or endogenous alarmins, the inflammatory caspases are activated and in turn mediate the activation and release of cytokines such as IL-1β. This work applied molecular, biochemical techniques to explore the activity of these enzymes and define their roles in mediating the above processes.