Table 1 Key features on Plasmodium metacaspases

Absence of caspase-like protease activity.

C2 domain in N-terminus.

P replaces the predicted catalytic C but a C is located immediately adjacent.

Expressed only in female gametocytes and all downstream mosquito stages.

Absence of loss-of-function in PbMCA1 deficient parasites.

C2 and putative CARD domains in N-terminus.

Autoprocessing upstream the C14 peptidase domain.

R-specific and calcium-dependant proteolytic activity.

Absence of caspase-like protease activity.

Expressed in erythrocytic stages and mainly in the schizont.

Induced yeast cell death and growth retardation when over-expressed in Δyca1 yeasts treated with H₂O_2.

Absence of the H/C catalytic dyad but a C is located one residue upstream the consensus C for PfMCA3.