Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Metacaspase
Introduction
Overview
Metacaspases are related to caspases and paracaspase [1]. The metacaspases are Arg/Lys-specific, in contrast to caspases, which are Asp-specific[2]. Metacaspases are found in plants, fungi, and “protists,” but not in slime mold or animals. In an analogous manner to caspases, metacaspases induce programmed cell death in both plants and fungi (yeast)[3][4] .