Hi,
there is a set of genes that, of course, products some proteins - called
caspases. When some of genes are activated i.e. proteins produced, it begins a whole set of chain reactions that lead to cell death (producing more heterochromatine, degrading organelles, etc. ) and it's called
apoptosis, but without any additional dammage to other cells. It has been only recently discovered and it won a Nobel prize some year ago.
I hope this answers your question