Caspases are enzymes that cleave proteins at aspartic acid residues. The name "caspase" is derived from cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific proteases. They exist as inactive proenzymes, or zymogens, in the cell and are activated through proteolytic cleavage. Caspases are categorized into initiator and effector caspases, with specific roles in the apoptotic pathways.
