Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase (TdT)-Mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) for Detection of Apoptotic Cells in Drosophila

A characteristic feature of apoptosis is DNA fragmentation. This fragmentation can be detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) of DNA in dying cells. Here, we present a protocol for TUNEL detection of apoptosis in Drosophila larval tissue, but these techniques can be adapted for other tissues and developmental stages.