Cell Death in Drosophila

The process of cell death in Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly, has long been studied due to its vital role in development and homeostasis. Apoptosis, serves as a genetically regulated form of cell death characterized by distinct morphological and biochemical features. Researchers have identified key upstream players, such as Reaper, Hid and Grim, their inhibitors, as well as downstream players, including initiator and effector caspases, which orchestrate the precise execution of apoptosis, shaping Drosophila development, tissue homeostasis, and disease progression. While apoptosis, has received significant attention, recent research has also uncovered intriguing instances of non-apoptotic cell death in this model organism. These include regulated necrosis and autophagy-dependent cell death, among others, which provide additional avenues for cellular demise that diverge from the classical apoptotic route. In addition, Drosophila models have been instrumental in exploring alternative and non-canonical roles of apoptosis during essential processes like development, cell differentiation, proliferation, and migration. By unravelling the molecular players, signalling cascades, and cellular responses associated with cell death pathways, researchers are broadening our understanding of cell fate determinants and shedding light on the complex networks governing the regulation of cell death and their role in cell survival versus death decisions in Drosophila.
Drosophila has served as a particularly attractive model to study cell death due to the vast array of tools for genetic manipulation under defined spatial and temporal conditions in vivo as well as in cultured cells. Insights provided by Drosophila have significant implications for understanding human disease pathogenesis and developing therapeutic interventions.

This Research Topic welcomes original research, reviews, perspectives, and method articles covering, but not restricted to:
- Mechanisms and signalling pathways involved in balancing cell death and survival signals for proper tissue
homeostasis.
- Non apoptotic role of cell death genes in development, cell differentiation, proliferation and migration.
- Novel live imaging, biophysical and genetic techniques to study cell death regulation in a developmental
context.
- Developmental signalling pathways controlling cell death during embryonic patterning and organogenesis.
- Drosophila as a model for cell death and cancer
- Drosophila as a model to study the relationship between cell death and inflammation
- Regulated cell death in models of neurodegenerative diseases.
- Evolutionary perspectives on cell death regulation and its impact on developmental outcomes

This Topic has been inspired by Frontiers in Cell Death's Sponsorship of the European Drosophila Research Conference 2023.