Caspase-8 messenger RNA (CASP8 mRNA)

Caspase-8 messenger RNA (CASP8 mRNA) is the primary transcript responsible for the synthesis of Caspase-8, a cysteine-aspartic acid protease that serves as a key initiator of the extrinsic apoptosis pathway (NCBI Gene ID: 841). The protein encoded by this mRNA is recruited to the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) upon activation of cell surface death receptors, where it undergoes auto-proteolytic activation to trigger downstream effector caspases (UniProt: Q14790). In the context of oncology, CASP8 mRNA expression is frequently downregulated or silenced through epigenetic mechanisms, such as promoter methylation, allowing tumor cells to evade programmed cell death (PubMed: 22449498). Conversely, over-activation of the Caspase-8 pathway is implicated in various inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions, where it may also regulate necroptosis (PubMed: 31515460). Therapeutic approaches targeting CASP8 mRNA include the use of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to precisely regulate the levels of the pro-apoptotic protein. These RNA-targeted strategies offer a potential method to either restore sensitivity to cell death in cancer or limit pathological cell loss in degenerative diseases.

Other names

CASP8 transcriptCaspase-8 mRNAMACH mRNAFLICE mRNAMCH5 mRNA

RNA interference (siRNA) or antisense-mediated degradation of the CASP8 transcript to modulate Caspase-8 protein expression levels.