Caspase-9

Caspase-9 is an initiator is_associated_with::caspase, encoded by the CASP9 gene. CASP9 is_associated_with::orthologs have been identified in all is_associated_with::mammals for which complete genome data are available. Unique orthologs are also present in is_associated_with::lizards, is_associated_with::lissamphibians, and is_associated_with::teleosts.

The is_associated_with::aspartic acid specific is_associated_with::protease caspase-9 has been linked to the mitochondrial death pathway. It is activated during programmed cell death (is_associated_with::apoptosis). Induction of stress signaling pathways is_associated_with::JNK/is_associated_with::SAPK causes release of is_associated_with::cytochrome c from mitochondria and activation of apaf-1 (is_associated_with::apoptosome), which in turn cleaves the is_associated_with::pro-enzyme of caspase-9 into the active form.

Once initiated caspase-9 goes on to cleave procaspase-3 & procaspase-7, which cleave several cellular targets, including is_associated_with::poly ADP ribose polymerase.

Interactions
Caspase-9 has been shown to interact with:


 * is_associated_with::APAF1
 * is_associated_with::BIRC2,
 * is_associated_with::Baculoviral IAP repeat-containing protein 3,
 * is_associated_with::Caspase 8,
 * is_associated_with::NLRP1,  and
 * is_associated_with::XIAP.