Caspase substrates and neurodegenerative diseases

Apoptosis is induced by the cleavage of a subset of cellular proteins by proteases of the caspase family. Numerous (hundreds) caspase substrates have been described but only for a few of them is the function of their cleavage by caspases well understood. In this review, apoptosis and caspases will first be introduced. The main focus will then be directed to the caspase substrates, the actual workers doing the job of mediating and regulating the apoptotic process. The caspase substrates whose functions upon cleavage have been carefully investigated and those that are potentially involved in neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed in detail. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.