However, apoptosis has been described and studied in only a few fungal species, and although homologs of apoptotic genes can be identified in all fungal genomes, to date only a handful of genes have been functionally analyzed. Further research is needed to identify the molecular components and cellular mechanisms controlling apoptosis in fungi. Recognition of the importance of apoptosis for fungal development has led to increased interest and more intense research in recent years, which provide information on various aspects related to fungal apoptosis15–17.