Caspase 9 plays a pivotal role in the initiation of the apoptotic cascade. Upon activation, it cleaves and activates downstream effector caspases, such as Caspase 3 and Caspase 7, which are responsible for the execution phase of apoptosis. This leads to the systematic dismantling of cellular components, including DNA fragmentation, cytoskeletal breakdown, and membrane blebbing, ultimately resulting in cell death.
