Acinus Proteins and Enzymes

Chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation (CCNF) are the hallmarks of apoptosis. CCNF is triggered by the activation of members of the caspase family, caspase activated DNase (CAD/DFF40), and several novel proteins including AIF and CIDE. A new inducer of chromatin condensation was recently identified and designated Acinus (for apoptotic chromatin condensation inducer in the nucleus). Acinus is cleaved by Caspase 3 and an additional unknown protease generating a small active peptide p17, ...