# Conservation of programmed cell death across species

> **NIH NIH R56** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $409,375

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Genetically regulated cell death processes are critical for maintenance of human health, defense against
infection and for successful cancer therapy. In contrast, long-standing assumptions in biology and prevailing
evolution theories have argued against the possibility that unicellular species encode intrinsic cell death
pathways. However, a turning point has occurred in recent years with advancements in evolution theory and
elegant molecular-genetic studies supporting the existence of genetically programmed/regulated cell death in
unicellular species, best demonstrated in prokaryotes. However, less is known about cell death mechanisms in
unicellular eukaryotes, including the well-studied model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although many
yeast genes have been implicated in promoting or inhibiting yeast cell death, the detailed mechanisms of cell
death in unicellular eukaryotes are unresolved relative to well-studied mammalian cell death pathways, despite
the relevance of pathogenic yeast such as Cryptococcus neoformans to human health, worsened by
expanding drug resistance. Cryptococcosis is a worldwide concern and the US is not spared. Aspergillosis,
mucormycosis and candidiasis are also problematic infections. The arsenal of anti-fungal agents is limited and
new approaches are needed. Benefits of this project could extend to agricultural pathogens and global
environmental changes. Yeast appear to have multiple unconventional cell death mechanisms. Whether these
mechanisms were selected during evolution, or if they can be harnessed for therapeutic benefit analogous to
new anti-cancer therapies is not yet known. Here we pursue these novel cell death pathways using a yeast
model system and a pathogenic yeast to determine the role of cell death-resistance in pathogenesis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10640365
- **Project number:** 1R56AI168539-01
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** J. Marie Hardwick
- **Activity code:** R56 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $409,375
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-06 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10640365

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10640365, Conservation of programmed cell death across species (1R56AI168539-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10640365. Licensed CC0.

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