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Stage-specific regulation of programmed cell death during oogenesis of the medfly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera,
Athanassios D Velentzas1, Ioannis P Nezis, Dimitrios J Stravopodis
1Faculty of Biology, Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
In the present study, we describe novel features of programmed cell death in developing egg chambers occurring during mid- and late-oogenesis of the medfly Ceratitis capitata. During mid-oogenesis, the spontaneously degenerated egg chambers exhibit typical characteristics of apoptotic cell death. Their nurse cells contain fragmented DNA and fragmented actin, as revealed by TUNEL assay and immunolabelling, respectively. In vitro caspase activity assays and immunostaining procedures demonstrated that the atretic egg chambers acquired high levels of caspase activity. Distinct features of autophagic cell death were also observed during C. capitata mid-oogenesis, as revealed by the monodansylcadaverine staining approach and ultrastructural examination performed by transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, atretic egg chambers exhibit an upregulation of lysosomal proteases, as demonstrated by a procathepsin L immunolabelling procedure. At the late stages of C. capitata oogenesis, apoptosis and autophagy coexist, manifesting cell death features that are similar to the ones mentioned above, being also chaperoned by the involvement of an altered cytochrome c conformational display. We propose that apoptosis and autophagy operate synergistically during C. capitata oogenesis for a more efficient elimination of the degenerated nurse cells and abnormal egg chambers.
Insights
Programmed cell death in medfly oogenesis involves both apoptosis and autophagy. These processes work together to efficiently eliminate degenerated nurse cells and abnormal egg chambers during development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Insect Reproduction
Background:
- Programmed cell death is crucial for development.
- Oogenesis involves complex cellular processes and quality control mechanisms.
- Understanding cell death pathways in insects provides insights into conserved biological mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate novel features of programmed cell death in developing medfly egg chambers.
- To elucidate the roles of apoptosis and autophagy during medfly oogenesis.
- To determine the synergistic interactions between cell death pathways in eliminating abnormal egg chambers.
Main Methods:
- TUNEL assay for fragmented DNA detection.
- Immunolabelling for fragmented actin and procathepsin L.
- In vitro caspase activity assays.
- Monodansylcadaverine staining for autophagy.
- Transmission electron microscopy for ultrastructural examination.
Main Results:
- Mid-oogenesis egg chambers showed characteristics of apoptosis, including fragmented DNA and high caspase activity.
- Autophagic cell death features, such as lysosomal protease upregulation, were observed.
- Late oogenesis revealed the coexistence of apoptosis and autophagy, involving altered cytochrome c.
- Evidence suggests synergistic action of apoptosis and autophagy.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis and autophagy are key programmed cell death mechanisms in medfly oogenesis.
- These pathways operate synergistically to ensure efficient removal of degenerated nurse cells and abnormal egg chambers.
- The findings contribute to understanding cell death regulation in insect development.
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