265294-58-4

When cells receive apoptotic stimulisuch as activation of the TNFα/Fas cell surface receptorcaspase 8 activationBid processing and its translocation to the mitochondria ensue. As a result mitochondria release cytochrome c which then binds to Apaf-1the mammalian Ced-4 homologuetogether with dATP. The resultant complex recruits caspase 9 leading to its activation. It then cleaves downstream caspases such as caspase 36and 7initiating the caspase cascade. Caspase 9 exhibits basal activity. It can be further activated via interaction of its N-terminal prodomain with the activator protein Apaf-1 in the presence of cytochrome c and dATP. Caspases have been implicated in many disorders including cancerinflammatory diseaseneurodegenerative diseasesstroke and myocardial infarction.