Which pair of caspases functions as the EXECUTIONER caspases responsible for cleaving structural proteins and endonuclease activation during apoptosis?
- A Caspase-8 and caspase-9
- B Caspase-3 and caspase-6 ✓
- C Caspase-1 and caspase-11
- D Caspase-2 and caspase-12
Correct answer: B. Caspase-3 and caspase-6
Explanation
Executioner caspases 3 and 6 carry out the final dismantling: they cleave cytoskeletal proteins, activate DNases that fragment DNA, and produce the characteristic morphological changes. Caspase-8 and caspase-9 are initiator caspases activated respectively by death receptors and the apoptosome, so option A describes initiators, not executioners. Caspase-1 is the inflammatory caspase of pyroptosis, not apoptosis.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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