Caspase-mediated activation of Caenorhabditis elegans CED-8 promotes apoptosis and phosphatidylserine externalization

As they die, apoptotic cells present phosphatidylserine on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, which serves as an ‘eat-me’ signal for nearby phagocytes. Chen et al. identify the caspase substrate CED-8 as a key regulator of phosphatidylserine externalization during apoptosis in C. elegans.