Caspase 4, Active (CASP10) Active Protein

This gene encodes a protein which is a member of the cysteine-aspartic acid protease (caspase) family. Sequential activation of caspases plays a central role in the execution-phase of cell apoptosis. Caspases exist as inactive proenzymes which undergo proteolytic processing at conserved aspartic residues to produce two subunits, large and small, that dimerize to form the active enzyme. This protein cleaves and activates caspases 3 and 7, and the protein itself is processed by caspase 8. Mutations in this gene are associated with type IIA autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and gastric cancer. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2011]

CASP10: Involved in the activation cascade of caspases responsible for apoptosis execution. Recruited to both Fas- and TNFR-1 receptors in a FADD dependent manner. May participate in the granzyme B apoptotic pathways. Cleaves and activates caspase- 3, -4, -6, -7, -8, and -9. Hydrolyzes the small- molecule substrates, Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-|-AMC and Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-|-AMC. Heterotetramer that consists of two anti-parallel arranged heterodimers, each one formed by a 23/17 kDa (p23/17) (depending on the splicing events) and a 12 kDa (p12) subunit. Self-associates. Interacts with FADD and CASP8. Found in a Fas signaling complex consisting of FAS, FADD, CASP8 and CASP10. Detectable in most tissues. Lowest expression is seen in brain, kidney, prostate, testis and colon. Belongs to the peptidase C14A family. 6 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: EC 3.4.22.63; Protease

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 2q33-q34

Cellular Component: cytoplasm; plasma membrane; CD95 death-inducing signaling complex; cytosol

Molecular Function: protein binding; ubiquitin protein ligase binding; cysteine-type endopeptidase activity

Biological Process: regulation of apoptosis; positive regulation of I-kappaB kinase/NF-kappaB cascade; apoptosis; innate immune response; proteolysis

Disease: Lymphoma, Non-hodgkin, Familial; Gastric Cancer; Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome, Type Iia