The non-death role for the yeast metacaspase: YCA1 prevents the accumulation of insoluble protein aggregates

Abstract

The caspase family of proteases are regulators of cell fate contributing to apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation. The yeast metacaspase, YCA1, is an ancestral caspase protease that is an established mediator of death processes, however, contribution to non-apoptotic processes have not been explored. Using systems level proteomic analysis we have identified a novel role for the yeast metacaspase in the clearance of insoluble protein aggregates. This function contributes to the fitness and adaptability of wild-type yeast. Our observations suggest that death and non-death caspase function emerged in single celled eukaryotes.