Learning Apoptosis with Mnemonics

Caspases (Pro-apoptotics)

Initiator caspases:

1. Intrinsic – 9 (IN for nINe); also 2 (Roman numeral II – I for Intrinsic)
2. Extrinsic – 8 (E for Eight); also 10 (Roman numeral X – X for eXtrinsic)

Executioner caspases: 3 and 7

• Executioner is synonymous to hangman.
• Remember the gallow – it resembles “7“.
• Executioner starts with “E” – reverse of E is 3 (most important).

Pro-apoptotic genes

Mnemonic: “B” followed by a vowel

1. BAX
2. BAD
3. BAK
4. BIM
5. BID
6. BIK
7. BOK

Exception: BCL-XS is pro-apoptotic.

Others: CDEFgH

1. Cytochrome C
2. Diablo/Smac (Inhibits inhibitor of apoptosis)
3. Endonuclease G
4. Fas
5. HtrA2

Anti-apoptotic genes

Mnemonic: Contains “L” or “XL”

1. BCL-2
2. BCL-XL
3. MCL-1
4. BCL-W
5. MCL-1

Other: Inhibitor of Apoptosis (XIAP)

How all these genes and molecules work together to complete apoptosis? Find it here.