Caspase-like proteases involvement in programmed cell death of Phaseolus coccineus suspensor

The suspensor of Phaseolus coccineus L. is a short-living tissue, which begins to degenerate at the early cotyledon stage of embryogenesis when it has become no more necessary for further embryo development. The degeneration of terminally differentiated suspensor is considered one of the most typical examples of developmental programmed cell death in plants. We report the occurrence of some hallmarks of animal apoptosis such a leakage of cytochrome C from the mitochondria to the cytosol and an induction of caspase-like proteases, which are sensitive to pH and to specific inhibitors but not affected by generic protease inhibitors.