Table 1.

Programmed cell death in bacteria

Mode/mechanism	Examples	Benefit	Refs
TA module	MazEF	Nutrient release	[1, 2, 10]
	PezAT	Pneumolysin (virulence factor) release	[28, 29]
	SpoIISAB and NdoAI	Formation of wrinkled biofilm structure	[30, 56]
Prophage	STEC	Stx (virulence factor) production and release	[20, 22, 31]
	P. aeruginosa PAO1	Biofilm formation and dispersal	[32-35]
	Shewanella oneidensis MR-1	Biofilm formation	[35]
Apoptosis-like death	RecA-dependent apoptosis-like death	Not known (speculated as a backup death program of MazEF to ensure PCD)	[6, 7, 23]