Apoptosis in developing and adult D. melanogaster

We studied apoptosis-associated cell death in various organs of developing and adult Drosophila using selective staining with acridine orange. Apoptotic cells have been found in the fat body and salivary glands during metamorphosis 2-3 h after the activation of ecdysone-dependent late puffs. The activation of genes and apoptosis in the fat body take place earlier than in salivary glands. In the adult insects, apoptosis has been observed in the distal region of testicles, as well as in ovarian follicles at stages 7-8 of development. Mutation-associated disturbances of mitosis and meiosis result in apoptosis at early stages of ovarian development, as well as in proliferating neuroblasts of the cerebral ganglion of Drosophila larvae. Similar effects have also been observed after irradiation. We discuss the results in connection with the identification of genes involved in apoptosis.