For a long a time programmed cell death was thought to be a unique characteristic of higher eukaryotes, but evidence has accumulated showing that programmed cell death is a universal phenomenon in all life forms. Many different types of bacterial programmed cell death systems have been identified, rivalling the eukaryotic systems in diversity. Bacteria are singular, seemingly independently living organisms, however they are part of complex communities. Being part of a community seems indispensable for survival in different environments. This review is focussed on the mechanism of and reasons for bacterial programmed cell death in the context of bacterial communities.

长期以来，程序性细胞死亡被认为是高级真核生物的独特特征，但已有证据表明，程序性细胞死亡是所有生命形式中的普遍现象。已经鉴定出许多不同类型的细菌程序性细胞死亡系统，在多样性上可与真核系统相媲美。细菌是奇异的，看似独立的生物，但是它们是复杂社区的一部分。成为社区的一部分似乎对于在不同环境中生存是必不可少的。这篇综述着重于细菌群落中细菌程序性细胞死亡的机制和原因。