title: Methods for detection and analysis of apoptosis signaling in the C. elegans germline.
abstract: This review assesses current and emerging methods for the detection, and analysis of apoptosis in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline. The nematode worm C. elegans is highly tractable to genetic manipulation, making it an excellent model for elucidating mechanisms of apoptosis signaling in a multicellular setting. Here we profile the most efficacious fluorescent tools to visualize and quantify germline apoptosis. We focus specifically on the application of fluorescent markers to screen by RNAi for genes and pathways that regulate germline apoptosis under normal conditions or in response to genotoxic stress. We also present the limitations of these methods, and suggest complimentary techniques in order that researchers new to the field can comprehensively assess apoptosis phenotypes in the C. elegans germline.
authors: Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1X8.
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Lant
authors: W Brent
authors: WB
authors: Derry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020169:Caspases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010587:Phagocytosis; D034622:RNA Interference; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D020169:Caspases