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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Preparation of Developing and Adult Drosophila Brains and Retinae for Live Imaging
Published on: March 15, 2010
Blocking apoptosis prevents blindness in Drosophila retinal degeneration mutants
1Howard Hughes Medical Research Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA.
Abstract:
Apoptosis is a gene-directed form of cell death that is essential for normal development and health. Yet abnormally high levels of apoptosis are linked to many degenerative diseases. Some important biochemical events in apoptosis have been identified, but the therapeutic utility of blocking cell death remains unclear. An important question in this regard is whether cells rescued from apoptosis can function. We have investigated the mechanism of cell death in two Drosophila mutant strains that exhibit age-related retinal degeneration. One of these mutations also occurs in humans, where it causes retinitis pigmentosa. We found that retinal cell death in rdgC and ninaE(RH27)/+ flies occurred by apoptosis and was blocked by eye-specific expression of the baculoviral cell survival protein p35. Most importantly, the mutant flies expressing p35 showed significant retention of visual function. The results demonstrate a therapeutic benefit of late-stage inhibition of apoptosis to flies, and suggest that similar results may be obtained in higher organisms.
Insights
Blocking apoptosis, a programmed cell death, can preserve function in degenerative diseases. Inhibiting apoptosis in mutant flies with retinal degeneration maintained their visual function, suggesting therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Apoptosis is crucial for development but implicated in degenerative diseases.
- Therapeutic strategies targeting apoptosis require understanding if rescued cells remain functional.
- Age-related retinal degeneration models provide insights into cell death mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of apoptosis in Drosophila retinal degeneration.
- To determine if blocking apoptosis can preserve visual function in mutant flies.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of inhibiting apoptosis in degenerative conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two Drosophila mutant strains (rdgC and ninaE(RH27)/+) exhibiting age-related retinal degeneration.
- Induced apoptosis blockage using eye-specific expression of the baculoviral cell survival protein p35.
- Assessed visual function retention in treated and untreated mutant flies.
Main Results:
- Retinal cell death in the mutant flies was confirmed to occur via apoptosis.
- Expression of p35 effectively blocked apoptosis in the fly retinas.
- Flies expressing p35 demonstrated significant retention of visual function.
Conclusions:
- Late-stage inhibition of apoptosis offers therapeutic benefits in flies with retinal degeneration.
- Blocking apoptosis can lead to functional recovery in degenerating tissues.
- These findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for inhibiting apoptosis in human degenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa.
