ICE/CED-3 proteasesin apoptosis.
An expanding family of cysteine proteases, of which interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE) is the prototype, has been shown to play a key role in mammalian cell apoptosis. ICE is both a structural and functional homologue of the nematode 'death gene' ced-3. Here, Moira Whyte discusses how functional characterization of these ICE-like proteases and identification of their substrates is helping to elucidate the biochemical processes underlying the stereotyped morphology of apoptosis and to identify potential targets for therapy.
Whyte
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Moira Whyte is at the Dept of Medicine and Pharmacology (Section of Respiratory Medicine), University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK S10 2JF.