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, ...