Figure 2.
Canonical and non-canonical TRAIL signaling in cancer cells. Schematic overview of apoptotic and proliferation/pro-survival signals elicited by the activation of TRAIL receptors. Following binding of TRAIL receptor agonists to their death receptors, the DISC can be formed, resulting in apoptosis. A secondary complex can also be formed after TRAIL receptor activation, leading to the activation of various kinases and the induction of direct or indirect non-apoptotic responses as indicated. The more precise molecular events required for secondary complex formation are subject of investigations. The complex could be associated with TRAIL receptors at the membrane or formed in the cytoplasm. See text for more details