Death by dozens of cuts
Barinaga, M.
Science 280(5360): 32-34
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075 PMID: 9556450 Document Number: 493601
Researchers are now beginning to understand the mechanisms of the protein-cutting enzymes called caspases, which are central to programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Apoptosis is crucial for the well-being of an organism, and either too much or too little cell death can be catastrophic. The writer discusses recent research into the activation and control of caspases.