Work

On the origins and evolution of apoptosis: the predator–mitochondrial prey hypothesis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Different types of programmed cell death (PCD) have been described both in unicellular and multicellular organisms. The fundamental mode of eukaryotic cell death is PCD initiated by mitochondria, which is frequently referred to as apoptosis (or mitochondrial apoptosis). It is initiated by mitochondria through mitochondrial permeability transition and the release of apoptotic factors. It is widely thought that mitochondrial apoptosis evolved concurrently with mitochondrial domestication. PCD initiated by mitochondria is observed in various multicellular and unicellular eukaryotes. We discuss key hypotheses-namely, the "pleiotropy," "addiction," "immunological," and our "predator-mitochondrial prey" hypotheses-to explain the mechanisms of mitochondrial domestication that lead to apoptosis. In this perspective paper, we present evidence from various phylogenetic and experimental studies that strongly indicate our hypothesis is the most plausible. For the first time, we also present evidence that challenges the assumptions underlying all other hypotheses.

Source: Journal of Evolutionary Biology

DOI: 10.1093/jeb/voaf039

Authors: Urszula Zielenkiewicz, Vandana Kaushal, Szymon Kaczanowski

Institution: Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Cell death mechanisms and regulation

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Narodowe Centrum Nauki

Award: G7700786440