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Activation of musculoskeletal development and repair mechanisms in the regenerating lizard tail (344.7)
Author(s) -
Hutchins Elizabeth,
Tokuyama Minami,
Eckalbar Walter,
Fisher Rebecca,
Rawls Alan,
WilsonRawls Jeanne,
Kusumi Kenro
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.344.7
Subject(s) - wnt signaling pathway , biology , regeneration (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , amniote , transcriptome , anatomy , regenerative medicine , stem cell , myocyte , gene , gene expression , genetics , signal transduction , vertebrate
Uniquely among amniote vertebrates, lizards can lose their tails and regrow a functional replacement. These regenerated tails, which have an organization distinct from the original tail, contain newly formed hyaline cartilage, muscle, vasculature, spinal cord, and skin. Using Illumina RNA‐Seq technology, we have identified over 300 differentially expressed (DE) genes along the proximal/distal axis of the regenerating tail at a mid‐growth stage (n=5). Histological and immunohistological analysis reflect these transcriptomic data. Specifically, there are proliferative cells throughout the proximal/distal axis and proliferative markers are expressed throughout the proximal/distal axis. However, cells progressively show differentiation towards the proximal region of the regenerating tail, and genes with high expression in this region include myogenic regulators and factors for muscle structure and differentiation. In contrast, genes with high expression in the regenerating tail tip include factors for wound and inflammatory response, hormonal and homeostatic regulation, and skeletal system development, including regulation of the Wnt pathway. Thus, these studies have identified components of a genetic program for regeneration in the lizard that includes both developmental and adult repair mechanisms, indicating value in the translation of these findings to future regenerative therapies. Grant Funding Source : Supported by NIH NCRR/ORIP Grant R21RR031305 and Arizona Biomedical Research Commission