Detection of apoptosis in Drosophila

Drosophila has unique genetic and cell biological advantages as a model system for the study of apoptosis. Many cell death genes are evolutionarily conserved between flies and mammals. Cell death can be induced by environmental stimuli and normally occurs during diverse developmental processes in Drosophila. Here, we review several approaches for detecting cell death in Drosophila. We provide detailed protocols for labeling apoptotic cells in the embryo and ovary using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling and acridine orange. Additionally, we describe methods for ectopically expressing cell death genes in the eye and the use of transgenic flies for the detection of genetic interactions among cell death genes.