Genetic control of programmed cell death in Drosophila melanogaster.
Apoptosis is a genetically controlled form of cell death that is an important feature of animal development and homeostasis. The genes involved in the control and execution of apoptosis are conserved throughout evolution. However, the actual molecular mechanisms used by these genes vary from species to species. In this review, we focus on the genetic components of apoptosis in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and compare their mode of action to the one employed by the homologous genes in mammals. We also cover recent advances that show that apoptotic genes have a requirement in processes other than apoptosis.
Cashio
Peter
P
The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Genes and Development Graduate Program, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Lee
Tom V
TV
Bergmann
Andreas
A
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008297:Male; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D020169:Caspases