Example 1: Caspases

that are activated during apoptosis.

As with other proteases they

have an inactive form and

an active form. Splicing

and folding of caspases

is required to initiate their

function in controlled cell death.

Shown in the figure is the

structure of caspase-1. Note that

the structure indicates that two subunits have been

cleaved and are intermingled. This is the active form.