Non-Apoptotic Role of Apoptotic Caspases in the Drosophila Nervous System

An increasing number of studies demonstrate that cells can activate apoptotic caspases but not die and, instead, display profound changes in cellular structure and function. In this minireview, we will discuss observations in the nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster that illustrate non-apoptotic roles of apoptotic caspases. We will preface these examples with similar observations in other experimental systems and end with a discussion of how apoptotic caspase activity might be constrained to provide non-lethal functions without killing the cell.

Automated summary

This mini-review presents non-apoptotic roles of apoptotic caspases in cells, using examples observed in the nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster. It also discusses the mechanisms by which apoptotic caspase activity is constrained to provide non-lethal functions without causing cell death.