death receptor signaling

Death receptor signaling is a crucial cellular process that helps regulate cell life and death. Found on the cell surface, death receptors receive signals from specific molecules, often in response to stress or damage. When activated, they trigger a cascade of events inside the cell that can lead to programmed cell death, known as apoptosis. This process is essential for maintaining healthy tissue, shaping development, and eliminating damaged or unwanted cells. Proper functioning of death receptor signaling is vital, as disruptions can contribute to diseases like cancer, where cells evade death and proliferate uncontrollably.