Describe ONE likely mechanism of action of a caspase inhibitor. Explain why an inhibitor for caspase 3 would likely be ineffective on caspase 9.
Caspase proteins are enzymes known to play a role in programmed cell death (apoptosis) and
the inflammatory response. Apoptotic caspases are subcategorized into initiator and executioner
caspases. Initiator caspases produce a chain reaction that activates executioner caspases.
Caspase 9 is a kind of initiator caspase and caspase 3 is a kind of executioner caspase that plays
a direct role in degrading cellular components.
Apoptosis can be activated by internal (intrinsic) cellular mechanisms or external (extrinsic)
signals. The extrinsic apoptotic pathway begins with the reception of a signal at the death
receptors and the intrinsic apoptotic pathway begins with the permeabilization of the
mitochondria. Both apoptotic caspase pathways are shown in Figure 1
Caspase proteins have been implicated in the premature death of cornea endothelial tissue being
stored for transplant. To investigate the effect of caspases 3 and 9 on tissue degradation,
scientists monitored the endothelial cell density of cornea tissue, left isolated from other tissues,
over a period of seven days. Scientists then exposed cornea endothelial tissue to caspase 3 and
caspase 9 inhibitors and monitored the endothelial tissue cell density over a period of 12 days
(Figure 2).
Describe ONE likely mechanism of action of a caspase inhibitor. Explain why an inhibitor for
caspase 3 would likely be ineffective on caspase 9.
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps with 1 images
