Cell
Volume 114, Issue 2, 25 July 2003, Pages 181-190
Journal home page for Cell

Article
Induction of TNF Receptor I-Mediated Apoptosis via Two Sequential Signaling Complexes

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-8674(03)00521-XGet rights and content
Under an Elsevier user license
open archive

Abstract

Apoptosis induced by TNF-receptor I (TNFR1) is thought to proceed via recruitment of the adaptor FADD and caspase-8 to the receptor complex. TNFR1 signaling is also known to activate the transcription factor NF-κB and promote survival. The mechanism by which this decision between cell death and survival is arbitrated is not clear. We report that TNFR1-induced apoptosis involves two sequential signaling complexes. The initial plasma membrane bound complex (complex I) consists of TNFR1, the adaptor TRADD, the kinase RIP1, and TRAF2 and rapidly signals activation of NF-κB. In a second step, TRADD and RIP1 associate with FADD and caspase-8, forming a cytoplasmic complex (complex II). When NF-κB is activated by complex I, complex II harbors the caspase-8 inhibitor FLIPL and the cell survives. Thus, TNFR1-mediated-signal transduction includes a checkpoint, resulting in cell death (via complex II) in instances where the initial signal (via complex I, NF-κB) fails to be activated.

Cited by (0)

2

Present address: INSERM U517, Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy, 7 Boulevard Jeanne d'Arc, 21033 Dijon Cedex, France.