Wang, SuyueMiura, MasayukiJung, Yong-keunZhu, HongGagliardini, ValeriaShi, LianfaGreenberg, Arnold H.Yuan, Junying2019-10-051996Wang, Suyue, Masayuki Miura, Yong-keun Jung, Hong Zhu, Valeria Gagliardini, Lianfa Shi, Arnold H. Greenberg, and Junying Yuan. 1996. “Identification and Characterization of Ich-3, a Member of the Interleukin-1β Converting Enzyme (ICE)/Ced-3 Family and an Upstream Regulator of ICE.” Journal of Biological Chemistry 271 (34): 20580–87. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.271.34.20580.0021-92581083-351Xhttp://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41483460We report here the isolation and characterization of a new member of the ice/ced-3 family of cell death genes, named ich-3. The predicted amino acid sequence of Ich-3 protein shares 54% identity with murine interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE). Overexpression of ich-3 in Rat-1 and HeLa cells induces apoptosis, which can be inhibited by CrmA and Bcl-2. The mRNA and proteins of ich-3 are dramatically induced in vivo upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, an inducer of septic shock. The ich-3 gene product can be cleaved by cytotoxic T cells granule serine protease granzyme B, suggesting that Ich-3 may mediate apoptosis induced by granzyme B. Ich-3 does not process proIL-1 beta directly but does promote proIL-1 beta processing by ICE. These results suggest that Ich-3 may play a very important role in apoptosis and inflammatory responses and may be an upstream regulator of ICE.en-USJournal Article2019-10-0510.1074/jbc.271.34.20580