Caspase 13
Caspase 13 is among the most enigmatic designations in the caspase family. The original report describing a human caspase-13 sequence was later re-examined, and molecular analyses indicated that the reported cDNA most likely did not derive from a genuine human gene, leading to wide acceptance that CASP13 should be regarded as a pseudogene with no confirmed protein product. Consequently, caspase-13 is absent from most functional classifications, which recognize inflammatory caspases 1, 4, and 5 and apoptotic initiators and effectors as the established human members. The designation is retained largely for historical continuity, and no physiological substrates, inhibitors, or disease associations can be reliably attributed to Caspase 13.
