Kaspázy

Kaspázy are a group of enzymes that play a crucial role in the regulation of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in multicellular organisms. They are named after the Hungarian biochemist György Kaspár, who first identified them in the 1970s. Kaspázy are categorized into two main classes: initiator caspases and effector caspases. Initiator caspases, such as caspase-2, -8, -9, and -10, are activated in response to various stimuli, including DNA damage, cytokine signaling, and death receptor activation. Once activated, these initiator caspases cleave and activate effector caspases, which are responsible for the execution of apoptosis. Effector caspases, including caspase-3, -6, and -7, directly cleave key cellular proteins, leading to cell death. The dysregulation of kaspázy activity has been linked to various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and inflammatory conditions. Understanding the mechanisms by which kaspázy are regulated and activated is essential for developing targeted therapies for these diseases.