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Programmed Cell Death in Protozoa: An Evolutionary Point of View. The Example of Kinetoplastid Parasites

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Programmed Cell Death in Protozoa

Part of the book series: Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit ((MBIU))

Abstract

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a molecular event which plays an essential role in the development of multicellular organisms. However, recent studies indicate that PCD is a mechanism also present in protozoa and unicellular eukaryotes. For instance, it has been recently proposed that some Trypanosomatid parasites have a PCD mechanism descendant from an ancient life form that has actually evolved. Thus, two hypotheses may explain the existence of PCD in protozoa such as Trypanosomatids. First, PCD could simply be a process without a defined function inherited through cell evolution, which is triggered in response to diverse stimuli and stress conditions. Alternatively, PCD might be used by Trypanosomatids as a control mechanism to maximize their biological fitness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa” (CSIC-UAM), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain

    Miguel A. Fuertes, Paul A. Nguewa, Carlos Alonso & José Manuel Pérez Martín

  2. Farmacia “Castilla”, Hermanos García Noblejas, Madrid, Spain

    Josefina Castilla

Authors
  1. Miguel A. Fuertes
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  2. Paul A. Nguewa
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  3. Josefina Castilla
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  4. Carlos Alonso
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  5. José Manuel Pérez Martín
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Correspondence to José Manuel Pérez Martín .

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© 2008 Landes Bioscience and Springer Science+Business Media

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Fuertes, M.A., Nguewa, P.A., Castilla, J., Alonso, C., Pérez Martín, J.M. (2008). Programmed Cell Death in Protozoa: An Evolutionary Point of View. The Example of Kinetoplastid Parasites. In: Programmed Cell Death in Protozoa. Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-76717-8_1

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