Caspases: (cysteine-containing aspartate-specific proteases) Most apoptotic proteolytic cleavage results from the action of caspases Caspases are activated by proteolytic cleavage > Removal of prodomain and linker region Assembly of the large and small subunits into an active enzyme complex >Two heterodimers interacting via the small subunits to form a tetramer with two catalytic sites Family members>14➢Most apoptotic proteolytic cleavage results from the action of caspases ➢Caspases are activated by proteolytic cleavage ➢Removal of prodomain and linker region ➢Assembly of the large and small subunits into an active enzyme complex ➢Two heterodimers interacting via the small subunits to form a tetramer with two catalytic sites ➢ Family members>14 Caspases: (cysteine-containing aspartate-specific proteases)