Signaling mechanisms of apoptosis-like programmed cell death in unicellular eukaryotes.
In unicellular eukaryotes, apoptosis-like cell death occurs during development, aging and reproduction, and can be induced by environmental stresses and exposure to toxic agents. The essence of the apoptotic machinery in unicellular organisms is similar to that in mammals, but the apoptotic signal network is less complex and of more ancient origin. The review summarizes current data about key apoptotic proteins and mechanisms of the transduction of apoptotic signals by caspase-like proteases and mitochondrial apoptogenic proteins in unicellular eukaryotes. The roles of receptor-dependent and receptor-independent caspase cascades are reviewed.
Shemarova
Irina V
IV
Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia. shem@iephb.ru
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology*; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D020169:Caspases