Caspase 7

Caspase 7, also known by its systematic name cysteine-aspartic acid protease 7, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CASP7 gene. It is a member of the caspase family, enzymes that play a central role in the execution-phase of cellular apoptosis. Caspase 7 is an effector caspase, primarily involved in the cleavage of cellular proteins leading to cell death. This enzyme is closely related to Caspase 3, sharing a high degree of sequence and functional similarity.

Function

Caspase 7 is synthesized as an inactive proenzyme that is processed in cells undergoing apoptosis by self-proteolysis and cleavage by other caspases, such as caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-10. Activation of caspase 7 results in the cleavage of several key cellular proteins, including poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), an important protein in DNA repair and cellular maintenance. The activity of caspase 7 is regulated by inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) and by the Bcl-2 protein family, which governs the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c, a critical step in apoptosis.

Clinical Significance

Alterations in caspase 7 expression and activity have been linked to a variety of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory diseases. In cancer, caspase 7 can function as a tumor suppressor, as its apoptotic activity can limit the survival of malignant cells. Conversely, excessive caspase 7 activity has been associated with the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, where it contributes to neuronal cell death.

Genetic Structure

The CASP7 gene is located on chromosome 10q25.3 and consists of 9 exons. Mutations in this gene have been studied for their potential role in disease pathogenesis, although such mutations are relatively rare.

Therapeutic Potential

Given its central role in apoptosis, caspase 7 has been explored as a target for therapeutic intervention in various diseases. Inhibitors of caspase 7 have been considered for the treatment of conditions where excessive apoptosis contributes to disease pathology, such as in certain neurodegenerative diseases. Conversely, activation of caspase 7 may have therapeutic benefits in cancer, promoting the apoptosis of cancer cells.

See Also

• Apoptosis
• Caspase
• Caspase 3
• Caspase inhibitors
• Cell death

External Links

• CASP7 gene on NCBI
• Caspase 7 on UniProt

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