We examined cell death in developing retinal tissue, following inhibition of protein synthesis,
which kills undifferentiated post-mitotic cells. Ultrastructural features were found of both
apoptosis and autophagy. Only approximately half of the degenerating cells were either
terminal dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive or reacted with antibodies specific for
activated caspases-3 or-9. Bongkrekic acid completely inhibited any appearance of cell
death, whereas inhibitors of autophagy, caspases-9 or-3, prevented only TUNEL-positive …