Cell cycle and apoptosis · USMLE Step 1

Which proteins are the main effectors that execute the biochemical processes of apoptosis by cleaving cellular substrates?

  1. Cyclins
  2. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)
  3. Caspases
  4. Bcl-2 family only
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Correct answer: Caspases

Caspases are a family of cysteine proteases activated during apoptosis; they cleave key cellular proteins such as nuclear lamins and PARP, leading to controlled cell disassembly.

Difficulty: Medium Question 17 of 19

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