Non-apoptotic caspase involved in epidermal differentiation. Is the predominant caspase in epidermal stratum corneum . Seems to play a role in keratinocyte differentiation and is required for cornification. Regulates maturation of the epidermis by proteolytically processing filaggrin (By similarity). In vitro has a preference for the substrate [WY]-X-X-D motif and is active on the synthetic caspase substrate WEHD-ACF (, ). Involved in processing of prosaposin in the epidermis (By similarity). May be involved in retinal pigment epithelium cell barrier function . Involved in DNA degradation in differentiated keratinocytes probably by cleaving DFFA/ICAD leading to liberation of DFFB/CAD .
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Nucleus
Expressed in keratinocytes of adult skin suprabasal layers (from spinous layers to the stratum granulosum and stratum corneum) (at protein level). Expressed in keratinocytes of hair shaft and sebaceous glands (at protein level). In psoriatic skin only expressed at very low levels . The p17/10 mature form is expressed in epidermis stratum corneum, the p20/p8 intermediate form in epidermis upper granular cells of the stratum granulosum .