The activation of Caspase 9 is a tightly regulated process. It is primarily activated through the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, which involves the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. Once in the cytosol, cytochrome c binds to Apaf-1 (apoptotic protease activating factor 1), forming the apoptosome complex. This complex then recruits and activates procaspase 9, leading to its cleavage and subsequent activation.
