Exploiting the utility of yeast in the context of programmed cell death

Many researchers have explored the extent to which yeast can be used to dissect the mechanisms of programmed cell death in higher cells. Yeast has been used as a system to analyze protein-protein interactions and structure-function relationships, and as a cloning tool to identify novel higher eukaryote regulators of apoptosis. In addition, classic genetic strategies in yeast have been used to analyze the mechanisms of action of core pathway members. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the strategies pursued and act as a source for the technical details necessary to exploit the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe in the context of programmed cell death.