Dear Editor

Caspase 14 is unique among the caspases by being expressed only in epithelia of terrestrial animals, and further to be involved in cellular differentiation rather than cell death or inflammation.1, 2 Caspase 14 has been investigated mainly in cornifying epithelia, where it is solely expressed in differentiating, nondividing keratinocytes, and is involved in the processing of structural proteins.3 Caspase 14 has also been associated with other epithelium-derived systems and is proposed have tumor-suppressor effects in breast cancer cells.4 It was therefore of interest when it was reported in Cell Death & Differentiation that caspase 14 is expressed in intestinal epithelial cells,5 a finding that was later confirmed by others who found expression of caspase 14 in nonneoplastic mucosa as well as in intestinal neoplastic cells.6

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account
Continue with Google
Continue with ORCiD