The conventional calpains, m- and micro-calpain, are suggested to be involved in apoptosis triggered by many different mechanisms. However, it has not been possible to definitively associate calpain function with apoptosis, largely because of the incomplete selectivity of the cell permeable calpain inhibitors used in previous studies. In the present study, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines overexpressing micro-calpain or the highly specific calpain inhibitor protein, calpastatin, have been utilized to explore apoptosis signals that are influenced by calpain content.
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