Caspase-8 (also know as FLICE, MASH, Mch5) is a member of the caspase-family of cysteine proteases. Similar to other caspases, caspase-8 also exists in cells as an inactive proenzyme. During apoptosis procaspase-8 is processed at aspartate residues by self-proteolysis and/or cleavage by another caspase. The processed active form of caspase-8 consists of large and small subunits which associate to form the active enzyme.
Active caspase-8 has been shown to activate caspase-3 leading to degradation of a variety of cellular target proteins during apoptosis. The recombinant active human caspase-8 was expressed in E. coli.
Unit definition: One unit of the recombinant caspase-8 is the enzyme activity that cleaves 1 nmol of the caspase substrate IETD-pNA (pNA: pnitroanaline) per hour at 37 °C at saturated substrate concentrations.
Caution: For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic purposes.