Caspase 1

Cell death via apoptosis is a key cellular function triggered by the cell death receptor family and their ligands. This regulated process then transmits downstream signals through adaptor molecules ending with the caspase cysteine proteases. Caspase 11 has a heterotetrameric structure consisting of two anti-parallel heterodimers. Upon activation, it is cleaved by an autocatalytic mechanism to give rise to individual subunits. This post-translational regulation enables rapid activation. Expression levels of caspase 11 are highest in lung and spleen.

Apoptosis is one of the main types of programmed cell death which involves a cascade of biochemical events leading to specific cell morphology characteristics and ultimately death of cells.

We at Novus Biologicals are one of the leading antibody suppliers for products targeted to apoptosis. These products are regularly used by cancer research groups - apoptosis is fundamental to developing therapies that will kill tumor cells. Caspase proteins, which play a key role in apoptosis, are therefore regularly featured in our antibody catalog.