Why yeast cells can undergo apoptosis: death in times of peace, love, and war

J Cell Biol. 2006 Nov 20;175(4):521-5. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200608098. Epub 2006 Nov 13.

Abstract

The purpose of apoptosis in multicellular organisms is obvious: single cells die for the benefit of the whole organism (for example, during tissue development or embryogenesis). Although apoptosis has also been shown in various microorganisms, the reason for this cell death program has remained unexplained. Recently published studies have now described yeast apoptosis during aging, mating, or exposure to killer toxins (Fabrizio, P., L. Battistella, R. Vardavas, C. Gattazzo, L.L. Liou, A. Diaspro, J.W. Dossen, E.B. Gralla, and V.D. Longo. 2004. J. Cell Biol. 166:1055-1067; Herker, E., H. Jungwirth, K.A. Lehmann, C. Maldener, K.U. Frohlich, S. Wissing, S. Buttner, M. Fehr, S. Sigrist, and F. Madeo. 2004. J. Cell Biol. 164:501-507, underscoring the evolutionary benefit of a cell suicide program in yeast and, thus, giving a unicellular organism causes to die for.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Apoptosis*
  • Food
  • Mycotoxins / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology

Substances

  • Mycotoxins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species