Death receptors function by binding to their respective ligands, which usually leads to the formation of a death-inducing signaling complex (DISC). This complex recruits and activates initiator caspases, such as caspase-8, which then activate executioner caspases like caspase-3 and caspase-7, ultimately resulting in cell death. The extrinsic pathway of apoptosis is distinct from the intrinsic pathway, which is mitochondria-dependent.
