Caspase-7 is an effector/executioner caspase, as are caspase-3 (EC
3.4.22.56) and caspase-6 (EC
3.4.22.59) [1]. These caspases are responsible for the proteolysis of the majority of cellular polypeptides [e.g. poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)], which leads to the apoptotic phenotype [2]. Although a hydrophobic residue at P5 of caspase-2 (EC
3.4.22.55) and caspase-3 leads to more efficient hydrolysis, the amino-acid residue at this location in caspase-7 has no effect [3]. Caspase-7 is activated by the initiator caspases [caspase-8 (EC
3.4.22.61), caspase-9 (EC
3.4.22.62) and caspase-10 (EC
3.4.22.63)]. Removal of the N-terminal prodomain occurs before cleavage in the linker region between the large and small subunits [4]. Belongs in peptidase family C14.
