REVIEW: Caspases as Regulators of Apoptosis and Other Cell Functions

A. A. Philchenkov

Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology, and Radiobiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Vasilkovskaya ul. 45, Kiev 03022, Ukraine; fax: (38044) 258-1656; E-mail: butenko@onconet.kiev.ua

Received March 28, 2002; Revision received August 6, 2002

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This review covers current knowledge on the involvement in apoptosis of a new family of endopeptidases denoted as caspases. Their structure, specific substrates, and inhibitors are considered. The recent classification of cysteine proteases of the caspase family based on their structural and functional features is presented. The biological significance of caspases not related to their proapoptotic effect is discussed.

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KEY WORDS: caspases, apoptosis, caspase inhibitors, adaptor proteins, cytokines, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, cytoskeleton integrity

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