Caspase 3 (also known as CPP32, YAMA and apopain) is the most extensively studied apoptotic protein among caspase family members. Caspase 3 is synthesized as inactive pro enzyme that is processed in cells undergoing apoptosis by self proteolysis and/or cleavage by other upstream proteases (e.g. Caspases 8, 9 and 10).The processed form of Caspase 3 consists of large (17kD) and small (12kD) subunits which associate to form an active enzyme. Caspase 3 is cleaved at Asp28 - Ser29 and Asp175 - Ser176. The active Caspase 3 proteolytically cleaves and activates other caspases (e.g. Caspases 6, 7 and 9), as well as relevant targets in the cells (e.g. PARP and DFF).
