Apoptosis in amphibian development

Amphibians and more particularly X. laevis are models often used for studying apoptosis during embryonic development. Using several methods, searchers determined the localization of programmed cell deaths (PCD). Several experimental methods also have been used to understand the regulatory mechanisms of apoptosis, throughout development, contributing to elucidate the general action of several genes and proteins. Apoptosis occurs very early, with a first program under control of maternal genes expressed before MBT, in order to eliminate damaged cells before gastrulation, and a second program at the onset of gastrulation. PCD is also observed during neurulation. Then, apoptotic cells are observed in amphibian organogenesis and metamorphosis. Results of these researches showed both importance of PCD for embryonic development, and the complexity of its regulation. Results obtained can be useful to understand others aspects of the importance of apoptosis, particularly pathological aspects.