Another novel member, ICE-LAP3, of the growing caspase family was cloned. Pro-ICE-LAP3 is a 35-kDa protein localised to the cytoplasm and is expressed in a variety of tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of a truncated version of ICE-LAP3 (missing the prodomain) induces apoptosis in MCF7 breast carcinoma cells. Importantly, upon receipt of a death stimulus, endogenous ICE-LAP3 is processed to its subunit forms, suggesting a physiological role in cell death (Duan et al., 1996). The same enzyme was also cloned by Fernandes-Alnemri (Fernandes-Alnemri et al., 1995).