Fig. 3: Models of CD95 aggregation at the plasma membrane.

A CD95 might self-associate after MMP7 cleavage [30] into non-signaling and signaling dimers. In the presence of CD95L, the equilibrium will shift to the signaling dimer and the induction of the apoptotic or non-apoptotic signaling pathways. B Predicted stoichiometry and conformation of CD95 protomers at the plasma membrane. To simplify the model, we highlighted in blue the transmembrane domains (TMs). While PLADs (light and dark green cylinders) form dimers, TMs (blue highlight) associate to form trimers [81]. The role of the intracellular domains including CID (calcium-induced domain) [31] and DD (death domain) [98] in the self-aggregation and conformation of CD95 is not depicted in this figure.