Effector caspases, also known as executioner caspases, are a group of proteolytic enzymes that play a crucial role in the process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death. These enzymes are responsible for the dismantling of cellular components and the formation of apoptotic bodies, which are then phagocytosed by neighboring cells. The most well-known effector caspases include caspase-3, caspase-6, and caspase-7.
