Programmed Cell Death inNeurospora crassa

Programmed cell death has been studied for decades in mammalian cells, but simpler organisms, including prokaryotes, plants, and fungi, also undergo regulated forms of cell death. We highlight the usefulness of the filamentous fungusNeurospora crassaas a model organism for the study of programmed cell death. InN. crassa, cell death can be triggered genetically due to hyphal fusion between individuals with different allelic specificities athetloci, in a process called “heterokaryon incompatibility.” Chemical induction of cell death can also be achieved upon exposure to death-inducing agents like staurosporine, phytosphingosine, or hydrogen peroxide. A summary of the recent advances made by our and other groups on the discovery of the mechanisms and mediators underlying the process of cell death inN. crassais presented.