EXECUTION MECHANISMS OF PROGRAMMED CELL-DEATH BY CASPASE (ICE CED3) FAMILY PROTEASES/

Molecular genetic study of Caenorhabditis elegans revealed the cell de ath-executing gene ced-3 Structural and functional similarities betwee n CED-3 and mammalian ICE family (caspase) gene products provide the e vidence that mammalian caspases are common mediators in executing prog rammed cell death. These findings suggest that the execution mechanism s of cell death by caspase family protease may be evolutionarily conse rved from worms to mammals. This report summarizes the unique properti es of caspases in apoptosis.