TRAIL: a molecule with multiple receptors and control mechanisms

Apoptosis research is benefiting from bioinformatic approaches to identify new components of the cell death machinery and novel cell death inducers/receptors. Over the past year, knowledge of the system involving TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptors has increased via genomic database analysis to include four distinct receptors that interact with a single ligand. Currently, these molecules are of major interest due to their potential roles and application in cancer therapy.