Extrinsic apoptotic pathway

DISC formation and activation of the caspase cascade are the two most crucial events in apoptotic signalling. Death ligands: Bind specifically to one or multiple receptors, of TNF family. Death receptors: Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor (TNFR) superfamily. 1. DISC is signalling platform of the extrinsic pathway and forms upon ligand binding to death receptor. 2. DISC activates caspase 8 by dimerization 3. FLIPs can inhibit DISC formation. 4. Initiator caspase 8: links to intrinsic pathway via BID, and Activates effector caspase 3, caspase 7 and others