Table 1

Comparison of the apoptotic caspases.

Caspase
Group
Cleavage Preference1
Prodomain
Comments

Caspase-2
Initiator
DAVAD
CARD

Caspase-3
Executioner
DEVD
Short

Caspase-6
Executioner
VEVD
Short
Implicated in neurite retraction [4]
Caspase-7
Executioner
DEVD
Short

Caspase-8
Initiator
IETD
DED
Extrinsic pathway
Caspase-9
Initiator
LEHD
CARD
Intrinsic pathway
Caspase-10
Initiator
(similar to caspase-8)
DED
Extrinsic pathway

1. Note that preferences do not exclude cleavage at other sites with Asp in the P1 position, and that the P1' position is also important (see text).

Bredesen Molecular Neurodegeneration 2009 4:27   doi:10.1186/1750-1326-4-27

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