Synaptic plasticity: finely tuning caspase function.

摘要

Caspase function is not limited to the realm of apoptosis: in rodent hippocampalneurons, for example, long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission requires active caspase 3. How caspases are activated in non-apoptotic processes is unclear, as is why they do not induce cell death. Now, Jiao and Li show that caspase 3 activation in LTD involves pro-apoptotic signalling proteins, and that the function of this protease is determined by its level of activation.