Induction of germline apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans

RNA interference (RNAi) is an incredibly powerful tool for rapid and efficient knockdown of gene expression. This technology can be used to induce apoptosis in the germline of Caenorhabditis elegans. Genotoxic stressors such as ionizing radiation (IR), ultraviolet light, chemical mutagens (e.g., N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea [ENU]), and DNA cross-linking reagents can also be used to stimulate apoptosis. These approaches, described here, combined with the powers of in vivo imaging methods, should keep C. elegans apoptosis researchers busy for several years, sorting out how various signaling pathways influence life and death decisions in this organism.