DFFA polyclonal antibody

The CED/ICE family of cysteine proteases plays a pivotal role in mediating apoptosis through the proteolysis of specific targets. Among the targets are poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), gelsolin, DFF-45/ICAD and the nuclear lamins. PARP is a nuclear protein that is specifically cleaved by CPP32 and Mch2, but not by ICE, into a signature apoptotic fragment. Gelsolin is cleaved by CPP32 to an active form that severs actin filaments in a Ca++-independent manner. In addition to binding actin, gelsolin can form complexes with fibronectin, which may be important for localizing gelsolin to inflammatory sites. DFF-45/ICAD, the subunit of DNA fragmentation factor, is cleaved by CPP32 to generate an active factor that induces DNA fragmentation. The nuclear Lamin A is cleaved by Mch2, but not CPP32. Nuclear Lamin B is fragmented as a consequence of apoptosis by an unidentified member of the ICE family .