Studying Apoptosis in Drosophila

The apoptotic machinery is highly conserved throughout evolution, and central to the regulation of apoptosis is the caspase family of cysteine proteases. Insights into the regulation and function of apoptosis in mammals have come from studies using model organisms. Drosophila provides an exceptional model system for identifying the function of conserved mechanisms regulating apoptosis, especially during development. The characteristic patterns of apoptosis during Drosophila development have been well described, as has the apoptotic response following DNA damage. The focus of this discussion is to introduce methodologies for monitoring apoptosis during Drosophila development and also in Drosophila cell lines.