Caspase 7(CASP7), like caspases 3 and 6, contains a short prodomain and, upon apoptotic induction, the 35 kDa proform is converted into a 32 kDa intermediate or preactive form which is further processed into two active subunits consisting of the p20 or large (18 kDa) subunit and the p10 or small (11 kDa) subunit and it is present in the brain, which is up-regulated and activated after traumatic injury(PMID:15953353). Caspase-7 is classified as a member of the subgroup of cysteine proteases most related to the Caenorhabditis elegans factor CED-3, which also includes caspase-3, -6, and -9(PMID:9426061). The protein is involved in the activation cascade of caspases responsible for apoptosis execution.