CASP12
Description
The CASP12 (caspase 12 (gene/pseudogene)) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 11.
Caspase-12 is a protein encoded by the CASP12 gene in humans. It belongs to the caspase family of enzymes, which cleave their substrates at C-terminal aspartic acid residues. Caspase-12 is closely related to caspase-1 and other inflammatory caspases, processing and activating inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 and interleukin-18. The CASP12 gene is located on chromosome 11, alongside other inflammatory caspases. The gene exhibits polymorphism, producing either a full-length, active form (Csp12L) or an inactive truncated form (Csp12S). The functional form is primarily found in individuals of African descent and is linked to susceptibility to sepsis, with decreased responses to bacterial molecules such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Estrogen may inhibit the production of caspase-12, leading to a stronger inflammatory reaction to bacterial pathogens. The inactive truncated form (Csp12S) is prevalent in non-African populations due to positive selection, possibly starting 60-100 thousand years ago.
CASP12 is also known as CASP-12, CASP12P1.
