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Updated: Jul 21, 2025
In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila
Published on: November 27, 2016
Dissecting morphogenetic apoptosis through a genetic screen in Drosophila
Audrey Barbaste1, Sonia Schott1, Corinne Benassayag1,2
1Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire des Mécanismes du Contrôle de la Prolifération (LBCMCP), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.
Abstract:
Apoptosis is an essential cellular process both in normal development and pathological contexts. Screens performed to date have focused on the cell autonomous aspect of the process, deciphering the apoptotic cascade leading to cell destruction through the activation of caspases. However, the nonautonomous aspect of the apoptotic pathway, including signals regulating the apoptotic pattern or those sent by the apoptotic cell to its surroundings, is still poorly understood. Here, we describe an unbiased RNAi-based genetic screen whose goal is to identify elements of the "morphogenetic apoptosis pathway" in an integrated model system, the Drosophila leg. We screened about 1,400 candidates, using adult joint morphology, morphogenetic fold formation, and apoptotic pattern as readouts for the identification of potential apoptosis-related genes. We identified 41 genes potentially involved in specific aspects of morphogenetic apoptosis: (1) regulation of the apoptotic process; (2) formation, extrusion, and elimination of apoptotic bodies; and (3) contribution to morphogenesis downstream of apoptosis.
Insights
This study identifies genes involved in morphogenetic apoptosis, focusing on how cell death influences tissue development. It reveals new insights into the non-autonomous roles of apoptosis in shaping tissues during development.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Apoptosis is crucial for development and disease, but its non-autonomous signaling remains poorly understood.
- Previous research focused on cell-autonomous apoptosis, neglecting signals from dying cells and their impact on surroundings.
- The morphogenetic apoptosis pathway, governing tissue shaping via cell death, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel genes regulating the non-autonomous aspects of apoptosis during morphogenesis.
- To investigate the role of apoptosis in tissue development using a genetic screen.
- To understand the signals involved in the morphogenetic apoptosis pathway.
Main Methods:
- Conducted an unbiased RNAi-based genetic screen in the *Drosophila* leg model system.
- Screened approximately 1,400 candidate genes.
- Utilized adult joint morphology, morphogenetic fold formation, and apoptotic patterns as key readouts.
Main Results:
- Identified 41 genes potentially involved in morphogenetic apoptosis.
- Discovered genes regulating the apoptotic process itself.
- Found genes associated with the formation, extrusion, and elimination of apoptotic bodies.
- Identified genes contributing to morphogenesis downstream of apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates key components of the morphogenetic apoptosis pathway.
- Identified genes offer new targets for understanding how apoptosis shapes tissues during development.
- This research expands knowledge of non-autonomous apoptosis signaling in developmental contexts.
