A protocol to use Drosophila melanogaster larvae to model human glioblastoma

Abstract

Summary: This protocol describes a genetic model system we developed for glioblastoma (GBM) in Drosophila melanogaster, which can be used to explore the pathogenic phenotypic effects of mutated genetic pathways and to identify potential therapeutic targets for tumors with these mutations. We present genetic schemes and experimental steps needed to create neoplastic glial brain tumors in larval Drosophila. We also provide steps to manipulate genes in this model and to perform brain fixation, immunostaining, and imaging of neoplastic larval brains.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Read et al., (2009). : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Keywords

• Developmental biology
• Cancer
• Genetics
• Model organisms