Upon binding with their specific ligands, such as Fas ligand (FasL) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF), death receptors undergo trimerization. This conformational change allows the recruitment of adaptor proteins like FADD (Fas-associated death domain). The formation of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) follows, which then activates initiator caspases, primarily caspase-8. These caspases cleave and activate executioner caspases, such as caspase-3, leading to cellular breakdown and apoptosis.
