caspasedriven

Caspase-driven refers to cellular processes that are initiated and carried out by a specific class of proteases known as caspases. Caspases are enzymes that play a crucial role in programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis. They exist in cells as inactive zymogens and are activated through proteolytic cleavage, often in response to specific cellular signals. Once activated, caspases act in a cascade, where one activated caspase cleaves and activates other caspases, amplifying the apoptotic signal. This caspase-driven cascade systematically dismantles the cell by degrading essential cellular components, such as structural proteins and DNA. Dysregulation of caspase activity is implicated in various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and autoimmune diseases, making the study of caspase-driven pathways a significant area of biomedical research. Understanding how caspase activity is initiated, regulated, and executed provides insights into maintaining cellular homeostasis and developing therapeutic strategies for diseases associated with uncontrolled cell death or survival.