caspase1
http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P29466
Protein names Recommended name:
Caspase-1
Short name=CASP-1
EC=3.4.22.36
Alternative name(s):
Interleukin-1 beta convertase
Short name=IL-1BC
Interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme
Short name=ICE
Short name=IL-1 beta-converting enzyme
p45
Cleaved into the following 2 chains:
Caspase-1 subunit p20
Caspase-1 subunit p10
Function
Thiol protease that cleaves IL-1 beta between an Asp and an Ala, releasing the mature cytokine which is involved in a variety of inflammatory processes. Important for defense against pathogens. Cleaves and activates sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs). Can also promote apoptosis. Ref.3 Ref.7
Catalytic activity
Strict requirement for an Asp residue at position P1 and has a preferred cleavage sequence of Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-|-.
Enzyme regulation
Specifically inhibited by the cowpox virus Crma protein.
Subunit structure
Heterotetramer that consists of two anti-parallel arranged heterodimers, each one formed by a 20 kDa (p20) and a 10 kDa (p10) subunit. The p20 subunit can also form a heterodimer with the epsilon isoform which then has an inhibitory effect. May be a component of the inflammasome, a protein complex which also includes PYCARD, CARD8 and NALP2 and whose function would be the activation of proinflammatory caspases. Interacts with CARD17/INCA and CARD18. Ref.9 Ref.11 Ref.13
Subcellular location
Cytoplasm.
Tissue specificity
Expressed in larger amounts in spleen and lung. Detected in liver, heart, small intestine, colon, thymus, prostate, skeletal muscle, peripheral blood leukocytes, kidney and testis. No expression in the brain. Ref.7
Post-translational modification
The two subunits are derived from the precursor sequence by an autocatalytic mechanism.
Sequence similarities
Belongs to the peptidase C14A family.
Contains 1 CARD domain.
