17Caspase malfunction in stem cells often instigates the appearance and progression of multiple types 18 of cancer, including human colorectal cancer. However, the caspase-dependent regulation of 19intestinal stem cell properties remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that Dronc, the 20Drosophila ortholog of caspase-9/2 in mammals, limits the proliferation of intestinal progenitor cells 21 and prevents the premature differentiation of enteroblasts into enterocytes. Strikingly, these 22