Practice question

Initiator caspases (caspase-8, -9 and -10) are activated by dimerization within large multiprotein platforms such as the DISC or the apoptosome. Once active they cleave and thereby activate the executioner caspases (caspase-3, -6 and -7). Executioner caspases proteolytically dismantle structural proteins, activate nucleases and ultimately produce the morphological hallmarks of apoptosis.