Caspase 14

Apoptosis is a common property of all multicellular organisms. Caspases, a family of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteases, are integral components of apoptosis. They play a central role in the initiation and execution of apoptotic cell death and in inflammation. Caspases are typically divided into 3 major groups, depending on the structure of their prodomain and their function. Caspases are constitutively expressed in almost all cell types as inactive proenzymes that are processed and activated in response to a variety of pro-apoptotic or inflammatory stimuli. The procaspases (32-56kD) contain four domains: an N-terminal prodomain, a large subunit (p20), a small subunit (p10) and a short linker region between the large and small subunits. Caspase activation involves proteolytic processing of the proenzyme at specific aspartate residues between the domains. This results in removal of the prodomain as well as the linker region and formation of a heterodimer containing one large and one small subunit (p20-p10). The active caspase is a tetramer composed of two heterodimers (p202-p102). Active caspases mediate cell death and inflammation through cleavage of particular cellular substrates that are involved in these processes. Caspase-14 activation has been implicated in keratinocyte senescence which leads to the cornified cell layer, suggesting a role for caspase-14 in epithelial cell differentiation. Terminal differentiation of keratinocytes has some features of classical apoptosis including DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation and induction of cross-linking transglutaminases. Tumor-specific alterations in caspase-14 expression have been found in epithelial malignancies, suggesting a role in epithelial cell transformation. Applications: Suitable for use in Western Blot, Immunoprecipitation and Immunohistochemistry. Other applications not tested. Recommended Dilution: Western Blot: 1:1000-1:2000 Immunoprecipitation: 1:50-1:200 Immunohistochemistry (Paraffin): 1:1000-1:5000 Immunohistochemistry: Frozen Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher. Storage and Stability: May be stored at 4 degrees C for short-term only. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20 degrees C. Aliquots are stable for at least 12 months. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.