Upon binding of the TRAIL ligand to the death receptors DR4 and DR5, the formation of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) is initiated. This complex recruits and activates caspase-8, which in turn activates downstream executioner caspases like caspase-3, leading to apoptosis. This pathway is often referred to as the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis, distinct from the intrinsic pathway initiated by mitochondrial signals.
