CASP1 encodes a protein (caspase 1) which is a member of the cysteine-aspartic acid protease (caspase) family. Sequential activation of caspases plays a central role in the execution-phase of apoptosis. Caspases exist as inactive proenzymes which undergo proteolytic processing at conserved aspartic residues to produce 2 subunits, large and small, that dimerize to form the active enzyme. This gene was identified by its ability to proteolytically cleave and activate the inactive precursor of interleukin-1, a cytokine involved in the processes such as inflammation, septic shock, and wound healing. This gene has been shown to induce cell apoptosis and may function in developmental stages. Studies of a similar gene in mouse suggest a role in the pathogenesis of Huntington disease. Alternative splicing resultsin transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms.

CASP1; IL1BC; IL1BCE; Caspase-1; CASP-1; Interleukin-1 beta convertase; IL-1BC; Interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme; ICE; IL-1 beta-converting enzyme; p45