What are caspase inhibitors?

Caspases are a complex group of enzymes that bring apoptosis, also known as a programmed cellular death. The natural group of caspase enzymes is activated by cleavage of another class caspase class. Another type of inhibitor that has been found naturally is the type of viruses that use them as part of the infection process. Scientists often use caspase inhibitors in cell biology and biochemistry studies to try to inhibit one particular type of caspase to see the effects on cell death in the absence of its activity. These inhibitors are also interesting as potential clinical drugs. It is a very common approach in enzymology to use an inhibitor against a certain enzyme and then look for changes as soon as the enzyme studied no longer has activity. Some inhibitors are obtained from natural sources, while others are specially designed to tact specific enzymes. A wide range of apoptosis inhibitors is available. The field of peptidomimetics allows the synthesis of compounds that are structurally similar to natural peptides, but also have nousual features. The group of caspase inhibitors has a sequence that is cleaved by specific caspases. It is associated with a fluorescent brand, so the activity of the enzyme can be detected when a specific caspase is active.

Using such tests, it was assumed that groups of caspase inhibitors were specific to individual forms of studied caspases. Detailed research using these inhibitors has found that many compounds are not as specific as previously meant. In concentrations used in tests in cell biology, other forms of caspases that have not been found that the enzyme is inhibited. Research indicating the effects that are expected to be caused by a specific caspase must be re -evaluated.

A number of different caspase inhibitors have been tested in clinical trials after various conditions. Results were promising when people with liver damage were treated with such an inhibitor and from from.dilled the death of hepatic cells. Another example is an example of patients who have suffered the marginal value of oxygen and blood into the brain. It has been found that the experimental use of the caspase inhibitor helps in such cases to prevent tissue damage.

programmed cell death can be a defense mechanism for killing cells rather than infect microorganisms. Some types of viruses, such as Cowpoxes, use caspase inhibitors to prevent target cells from apoptosis. This allows them to successfully attack cells.