The molecular mechanisms which determine whether the cells of a multicellular organism will live or commit suicide have become a popular field of research in biology during the last decade. Cell death research in the plant field has also been expanding rapidly in the past 5 years. This special volume of Plant Molecular Biology seeks to bring together examples of a diverse array of experimental approaches in a single volume. From the differentiation of tracheary elements in vascular plants to the more specialized cell death model of the aleurone in cereals, this volume will bring the reader up-to-date with the characterization of different plant model systems that are currently being studied. This endeavor should complement general overviews of plant cell death mechanisms that have been published elsewhere by providing more detailed information on various aspects of this field to interested graduate students and more senior biologists alike.

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a genetically encoded, active process which results in the death of individual cells, tissues, or whole organs. PCD plays an essential role in plant development and defense, and occurs throughout a plant’s lifecycle from the death of the embryonic suspensor to leaf and floral organ senescence. In plant biology, PCD is a relatively new research area, however, as its fundamental importance is further recognized, publications in the area are beginning to increase significantly. The field currently has few foundational reference books and there is a critical need for books that summarizes recent findings in this important area. This book contains chapters written by several of the world’s leading researchers in PCD. This book will be invaluable for PhD or graduate students, or for scientists and researchers entering the field. Established researchers will also find this timely work useful as an up-to-date overview of this fascinating research area.

The recognition of cell death as an active process has changed the way in which biologists view living things. Geneticists re-evaluate long known mutants, research strategies are redesigned, and new model systems are sought. This volume reviews our new understanding of programmed cell death as it applies to plants. The book draws comparisons with programmed cell death in animals and unicellular organisms. The book is directed at researchers and professionals in plant cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, developmental biology and genetics.

This title, the 52nd in symposium series, presents a comprehensive review of apoptosis and features contributions from many internationally recognised authors. The book is the first to integrate programmed cell death in plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. Rapid publication ensures that the very latest research is included.

Programmed cell death is a common pattern of growth and development in both animals and plants. However, programmed cell death and related processes are not as generally recognized as central to plant growth. This is changing fast and is becoming more of a focus of intensive research. This edited work will bring under one cover recent reviews of programmed cell death, apoptosis and senescence.Summaries of the myriad aspects of cell death in plantsDiscussion of the broadest implications of these disparite resultsA unification of fields where there has been no cross talkEnables easy entry into diverse but related lines of research

Researchers from seven countries summarize the findings to date on plant cell death.

Both autophagy and programmed cell death (PCD) are fundamental processes of cellular maintenance that are closely interrelated in plant and animal cells under physiological and stressful conditions. Differentiation, immune response, lack of nutrients, and wide range of abiotic factors induce their development and realisation of survival or cell death scenario. Microtubular cytoskeleton is known as one of the principle players in the mediation of PCD/autophagic signals. Chapter One in this book presents an overview of the current knowledge about the role of MTs in PCD- and autophagy-related processes in plants. Chapter Two reviews the mechanisms and consequences of virus interactions with the hotel cell-death machinery, to help understand potentially pathologically relevant consequences that will help in the design of intervention strategies and the development of antiviral therapies. The final chapter discusses the control of the levels of different reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their interaction with hormones and transcriptional factors in relation with programmed cell death in leaves.

This title, the 52nd in symposium series, presents a comprehensive review of apoptosis and features contributions from many internationally recognised authors. The book is the first to integrate programmed cell death in plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. Rapid publication ensures that the very latest research is included.