What Are the Key Components of the Extrinsic Pathway?

The primary components of the extrinsic pathway are:

- Death Receptors: These transmembrane proteins, such as Fas and TRAIL receptors, recognize specific ligands that trigger apoptosis.
- Ligands: External molecules like FasL (Fas ligand) and TRAIL bind to the death receptors to initiate the apoptotic signal.
- DISC: The DISC is a multiprotein complex that forms upon ligand binding, facilitating the activation of initiator caspases.
- Caspases: These are proteases that orchestrate the apoptotic process. Caspase-8 is the primary initiator caspase in the extrinsic pathway, which in turn activates executioner caspases like caspase-3 and caspase-7.