Embryonic apoptosis in <i>xbp-1</i>(ko) animals depleted of ICD-1.

<p>[<i>hsp-4</i>::GFP] <i>xbp-1</i>(ko) animals were treated with <i>icd-1</i>(RNAi), and their comma-stage embryos were scored for apoptotic cell corpses. Developmental apoptosis occurs normally throughout <i>C. elegans</i> embryogenesis, and the comma-stage of development generates a high number of apoptotic cell corpses relative to other stages. A) The number of comma-stage embryos containing a specific number of cell corpses in wild-type (n = 28) and [<i>hsp-4</i>::GFP] <i>xbp-1</i>(ko) (n = 11) embryos treated with <i>icd-1</i>(RNAi). B–F) Multiple focal planes of a comma-stage embryo produced by an [<i>hsp-4</i>::GFP] <i>xbp-1</i>(ko) worm treated with <i>icd-1</i>(RNAi). Cell corpses are distinguishable from surrounding cells by their raised-up, button-like structures. G–K) Duplicate images of A–E highlighting each of the 43 cell corpses observed in this embryo.