An emerging blueprint for apoptosis in Drosophila

Apoptosis research demonstrates that, even though the multitude of regulato ry circuits controlling programmed cell death might diverge, core elements of the 'apoptotic engine' are widely conserved. Therefore, studies in less complex model systems, such as the nematode and the fly, should continue to have a profound impact on our understanding of the process. This review ex plores genes and molecules that control apoptosis in Drosophila. The death inducers Reaper, Grim and Hid relay signals, possibly through IAPs (inhibit or of apoptosis proteins) and Dark (an Apaf-1/Ced-4 homologue), to trigger caspase function. This animal model promises continued insights into the de terminants of cell death in 'naturally occurring' and pathological contexts .