In this system, Dcp-1 treatment results in fragmentation of chromosomal DNA that displays the characteristic apoptotic DNA ladder. No significant abnormalities in the pattern of cell death are seen in dcp-1 mutants. Either there is sufficient Dcp-1 protein encoded maternally, or there are additional caspases performing a redundent function. However, dcp-1 mutation causes lethality during larval stages. Although most of the dcp-1 mutants die before the third instar larval stage, some reach that stage and display several abnormalities.
Mutant larvae lack imaginal discs and gonads.
In addition, they have fragile trachea. However, the most prominent phenotype found in these larvae is the presence of melanotic tumors located in various parts of the body. Melanotic tumors can result from either the overproliferation of blood cells or from an immune response toward abnormal cells and tissues in the larva. In dcp-1 mutants, there is no evidence for hyperplasia of the lymph glands or overproliferation of blood cells. The cytoplasmic region of Fas, a mammalian death factor receptor, shares a limited homology with Reaper, an apoptosis-inducing protein in Drosophila.