The caspases are a group of cysteine protease enzymes essential to apoptosis, inflammation and necrosis. Caspase 3 has been identified as one of the key mediators of apoptosis.
Human caspases form three distinct groups: cytokine activators, which are involved with cytokine processing and the inflammatory response, and apoptosis initiators and activators (also called executioners). Caspase 3, 6 and 7 are executioners, while caspases 2, 8, 9 and 10 are all initiators.
-Immunohistochemistry-Paraffin-NB500-210-img0001.jpg "Immunohistochemistry-Paraffin: Caspase 3 Antibody")
Caspases are expressed as inactive pro-enzymes, activated by proteolytic cleavage in response to apoptotic stimuli. Using caspase antibodies, scientists have shown caspase 3, 8 and 9 to be expressed at pivotal sites of the apoptosis pathway, mediating disassembly of the cell. Caspase 8 initiates this, as part of a complex, in response to extracellular ligand signaling in association with death domain receptors. Caspase 9 then activates cellular disassembly, in response to signals which initiate mitochondrial Cytochrome C release, forming a complex with extra-mitochondrial cytochrome c and APAF-1.
Caspase 3 antibody studies have revealed caspase 3 regulates and amplifies caspase 8 and 9 activity. Caspase 3 is activated by caspase 8 and 9, following which it cleaves other proteins, including other caspases. We at Novus Biologicals have an extensive antibody database which is helping researchers to extend and refine knowledge of the caspase cascade.
Novus Biologicals offers many Caspase 3 reagents for your research needs including:
