Cleaved Caspase 3

Caspases are proteases which are essential for apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Caspase-3 is one of the key proteases involved in execution of apoptosis, and proteolytically cleaves many key proteins including cytoskeletal and associated proteins, kinases, and members of the Bcl-2 family of apoptosis-related proteins. In order for caspase 3 to exert its proteolytic functions, it must be cleaved from a pro-enzyme form to its active, cleaved state. Cleaved caspase 3 is an early marker of apoptotic cells.