Prominent among cell surface molecules capable of initiating apoptosis are members of the
tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family of ligands and receptors. Death-inducing members of the
TNF receptor family each contain a cytoplasmic 'death domain'(DD): a protein–protein
interaction motif critical for engaging downstream components of the signal transduction
machinery. Following activation of these receptors by their cognate ligands, a death-
inducing signalling complex (DISC) is formed by recruitment of cytoplasmic DD-containing …