The TNF Receptor 1: A Split Personality Complex

The tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), a prototypic member of the death receptor family signals both cell survival and apoptosis. In this issue of Cell, report that apoptotic TNFR1 signaling proceeds via the sequential formation of two distinct complexes. Since the first complex can activate survival signals and influence the activity of the second complex, this mechanism provides a checkpoint to control the execution of apoptosis.