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Definition of Caspase 3

Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026

Caspase 3: An enzyme that plays a key role in programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Caspase 3 has been called the "henchman that goes around and executes the cell." It is a member of the family of asparate-specific cysteinyl proteases and is also known as caspase-3, CPP32, apopain, or YAMA.