Caspase 8 is a cysteine dependent endoprotease that plays a key role in the regulation of apoptosis (also referred as programmed cell death), an event which is known to be essential in growth and development of embryo, and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Caspases are broadly classified as apoptosis or inflammation regulatory caspases based on their role in respective processes. Of those known, caspase - 3, -6, -7, -8 and -9 are categorized as apoptotic caspases, whereas caspase -1, -4, -5 and -12 are grouped as inflammatory caspases. The apoptotic caspases are further classified into initiator caspases (caspase -8 and -9) and effecter caspases (caspase -3, -6 and -7) based on their role in transducing the apoptotic signals emanating at the cell membrane.
