Lethal Logic in Apoptosis: Toxins Trigger Programmed Cell Death During Disease in Eukaryotic Cells

Abstract

Sphinganine analog mycotoxins trigger cell death in certain animal and plant cells by a process that is functionally analogous to apoptosis. The process of apoptosis is accepted among animal biologists as a genetically controlled form of programmed cell death that directs the selective elimination of cells following transduction of signals through multiple converging pathways. Functional elements of the process appear to be evolutionarily conserved in eukaryotes where they play essential roles during normal development. Conversely, inappropriate induction or suppression of cell death often is a key element in pathogenesis. Current information from our laboratory indicates that the triggering of cell death in plants by sphinganine analog mycotoxins involves a number of signals and genes that regulate apoptosis in animals. Our parallel studies with animal and plant cells responding to diverse stimuli that induce apoptosis suggest also that ceramide-linked second messengers may play an important role in both plant and animal cells undergoing programmed cell death.KeywordsAlternaria AlternataSphingoid BaseFusarium MoniliformeSphingolipid MetabolismCeramide SignalingThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.