ProCaspase10

Procaspase-10 is the zymogen form of caspase-10, a cysteine protease in the caspase family that functions as an initiator caspase in the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. It is encoded by the CASP10 gene in humans.

Activation of procaspase-10 occurs after death receptor signaling. Engagement of Fas/CD95 or TRAIL receptors leads to the formation of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) with adaptor proteins such as FADD, which recruits procaspase-10. Within the DISC, procaspase-10 is cleaved to generate active caspase-10, which then cleaves and activates downstream effector caspases such as caspase-3 and caspase-7, culminating in apoptosis. In many cell types, caspase-10 can function alongside or compensate for caspase-8 in initiating the cascade, though the relative contribution of each initiator caspase can be cell-type dependent.

Procaspase-10 is produced as a zymogen that contains an N-terminal death effector domain mediating recruitment to the DISC. Alternative splicing yields multiple CASP10 isoforms, which may differ in activity or regulation and can influence the efficiency of apoptotic signaling.

Clinical and biological significance of caspase-10 includes evidence that alterations in CASP10 expression or function are associated with immune disorders and cancer in various contexts. The precise role of caspase-10 can be context-dependent, reflecting redundancy with caspase-8 and tissue- or condition-specific factors.