Caspase 11 (CASP4) Active Protein

This gene encodes a member of the cysteine proteases that plays important roles in apoptosis, cell migration and the inflammatory response. The encoded protein mediates production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by macrophages upon bacterial infection. Mice lacking the encoded protein are resistant to endotoxic shock induced by lipopolysaccharide. A 5-bp deletion encompassing a splice acceptor junction resulting in alternate splicing and a shorter non-functional isoform in certain mouse strains has been described. Although its official nomenclature is "caspase 4, apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase", this gene and its encoded protein have historically been called caspase 11. This gene is present in a cluster of three caspase genes on chromosome 9. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2015]

CASP4: Involved in the activation cascade of caspases responsible for apoptosis execution. Cleaves caspase-1. Heterotetramer that consists of two anti-parallel arranged heterodimers, each one formed by a small and a large subunit. Widely expressed, with highest levels in spleen and lung. Moderate expression in heart and liver, low expression in skeletal muscle, kidney and testis. Not found in the brain. Belongs to the peptidase C14A family. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Protease; EC 3.4.22.64; Apoptosis

Cellular Component: cell soma; endoplasmic reticulum; membrane; mitochondrion; neuron projection; protein complex

Molecular Function: cysteine-type endopeptidase activity; cysteine-type peptidase activity; hydrolase activity; peptidase activity

Biological Process: actin filament organization; apoptosis; germ cell programmed cell death; positive regulation of interleukin-1 beta secretion; proteolysis; regulation of apoptosis; regulation of inflammatory response