Caspase-3, active

Caspase-3 (CASP3) is part of the cysteine-aspartic acid protease (caspase) family. Sequential activation of CASP3 enzyme results in the execution-phase of cell apoptosis/programmed cell death.

CASP3 has been called the "henchman that goes around and executes the cell." It exists as an inactive proenzyme which undergoes proteolytic processing at conserved aspartic residues to produce 2 subunits, large and small, that dimerize to form the active enzyme. When cleaved, it activates caspases 6, 7 and 9.

CASP3 is also involved in the cleavage of amyloid-beta 4A precursor protein, which is associated with neuronal death in Alzheimer's & Huntington disease.  High levels are found in lymphocytes, indicating that it is an important mediator of apoptosis in the immune system.CSN-mediated deneddylation is regulated by active CASP3.

CASP3 cleavage of RAD51 results in a functional decrease in RAD51 strand exchange activity and inhibition activity increases RAD51 protein levels. Mice overexpressing human CASP3 have increased susceptibility to degenerative insults. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in CASP3 gene is associated with lung cancer.

Protein Biological Activity and Uses:

• At a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml one unit will cleave 1.0 umoles of substrate AC-DEVD-P Nitroanilide per minute at pH 7.4 at 25 degrees.
• Caspase-3 should be preincubated with 10mM DTT at room temperature for one hour to fully reduce the enzyme, before cleavage begins. If product tolerates reduced conditions, assay can be carried out in 20mM Hepes, pH-7.4 + 150mM NaCl & 10mM DTT.