Contribution of the ICE family to neurodegeneration.

The ICE family of cysteine proteases mediates necrotic or apoptotic events in the nervous system as well as in other tissues. This suggests that inhibitors may be of therapeutic value in acute and, perhaps, chronic neurodegenerative disease. In addition, some members of this family may respond to intercellular signals controlling proliferation or differentiation. This possibility should be kept in mind as therapeutics are pursued.