Death Receptor (DR)

Death receptors are a subset of cell surface receptors belonging to the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily. They are characterized by an intracellular death domain (DD) and play a central role in regulating apoptosis and other cellular processes. Major members include TNFR1, Fas/CD95/APO-1, TRAILR1/DR4, TRAILR2/DR5, DR3, and DR6. Upon ligand binding, death receptors oligomerize and recruit adaptor proteins to form the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), which activates caspases and leads to apoptosis. Death receptor activity can be modulated by decoy receptors and adaptor proteins. Dysregulation of death receptor pathways contributes to diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders, making them important therapeutic targets.

Other names

Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily (TNFRSF) Death Domain-containing Receptors

Induction of apoptosis via DISC formation