The caspase family of cysteine proteases have emerged as central regulators of apoptosis.
Diverse cellular stresses trigger caspase activation by promoting release of mitochondrial
components, including cytochrome c, into the cytoplasm. In turn, cytochrome c promotes the
assembly of a caspase-activating complex termed the apoptosome. In this article, the
apoptosome and its role in life and death decisions of cells are discussed.