title: Caspase-2: controversial killer or checkpoint controller?
abstract: The caspases are an evolutionarily conserved family of cysteine proteases, with essential roles in apoptosis or inflammation. Caspase-2 was the second caspase to be cloned and it resembles the prototypical nematode caspase CED-3 more closely than any other mammalian protein. An absence of caspase-2-specific reagents and the subtle phenotype of caspase-2-deficient mice have hampered definition of the physiological role of caspase-2 and identification of factors regulating its activity. Although some data implicate caspase-2 in apoptotic pathways, a link with apoptosis has been less firmly established for caspase-2 than for some other caspases. Emerging evidence suggests that caspase-2 regulates the cell cycle and may act as a tumour suppressor. This article critically reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the biochemistry and biology of this controversial caspase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitevska
authors.forename: Damian M S
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Christine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hawkins
mesh_terms: D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D053143:Caspase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D053143:Caspase 2