The caspase family of cysteine proteases play a key role in apoptosis. Caspase 3 (also known as CPP32, YAMA and apopain) is the most extensively studied apoptotic protein among caspase family members. Caspase 3 is synthesized as an inactive pro enzyme that is processed in cells undergoing apoptosis by self proteolysis and/or cleavage by other upstream proteases (e.g. Caspases 8, 9 and 10). The processed form of Caspase 3 consists of large (17kD) and small (12kD) subunits which associate to form an active enzyme. Caspase 3 is cleaved at Asp28 - Ser29 and Asp175 - Ser176. The active Caspase 3 proteolytically cleaves and activates other caspases (e.g. Caspases 6, 7 and 9), as well as relevant targets in the cells (e.g. PARP and DFF). Alternative splicing of this gene results in two transcript variants which encode the same protein. In immunohistochemical studies Caspase 3 expression has been shown to be widespread but not present in all cell types (e.g. commonly reported in epithelial cells of skin, renal proximal tubules and collecting ducts). Differences in the level of Caspase 3 have been reported in cells of short lived nature (eg germinal centre B cells) and those that are long lived (e.g. mantle zone B cells). Caspase 3 is the predominant caspase involved in the cleavage of amyloid beta 4A precursor protein, which is associated with neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease.

Cytoplasmic