I'm extracting DNA from the legs of spiders which were euthanized by freezing in a household freezer. In almost every spider, the DNA shows a banding pattern associated with apoptosis. Why would there be so much programed cell death in the legs of spiders? Had it already happened naturally? Was it induced during the freezing process? I do not see this happening in other organisms using the same extraction procedure.

Each lane is DNA extracted from a different spider.

#genetics #DNA #apoptosis

Highlight: Unlocking the Ancient Origins of Cell Death

https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evad172

"They propose that early protoeukaryotes were predators, relying on bacterial prey. These bacteria, in response to predation, produced toxins as a defense mechanism. Over time, these bacteria were domesticated to serve as mitochondria within eukaryotic cells, and their toxins evolved into apoptotic factors. "

#evolution #eukaryotes #apoptosis #mitochondria