Figure 1.

Mechanisms of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced apoptosis through the TNF-R1. Binding of TNF-α to TNF-R1 results in activation of caspase-10 through recruitment of the Fas-Associated protein with Death Domain (FADD). Activated caspase-10 has the ability to activate caspase-3, either directly by cleavage, or indirectly by activating the Bcl-2 family protein BID that through release of cytochrome-c will activate caspase-3. Ultimately, activated caspase-3 will result in fragmentation of DNA, that is, apoptosis, with the involvement of cleaved-poly ADP ribosome polymerase (PARP). Illustration by Gustav Andersson (copyright with artist).