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von Willebrand factor D and EGF domains is an evolutionarily conserved and required feature of blastemas capable of multitissue appendage regeneration
Author(s) -
Leigh Nicholas D.,
Sessa Sofia,
Dragalzew Aline C.,
PayzinDogru Duygu,
Sousa Josane F.,
Aggouras Anthony N.,
Johnson Kimberly,
Dunlap Garrett S.,
Haas Brian J.,
Levin Michael,
Schneider Igor,
Whited Jessica L.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
evolution and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.651
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1525-142X
pISSN - 1520-541X
DOI - 10.1111/ede.12332
Subject(s) - blastema , biology , regeneration (biology) , axolotl , microbiology and biotechnology , ambystoma mexicanum , appendage , xenopus , anatomy , progenitor cell , genetics , stem cell , gene
Regenerative ability varies tremendously across species. A common feature of regeneration of appendages such as limbs, fins, antlers, and tails is the formation of a blastema—a transient structure that houses a pool of progenitor cells that can regenerate the missing tissue. We have identified the expression of von Willebrand factor D and EGF domains ( vwde ) as a common feature of blastemas capable of regenerating limbs and fins in a variety of highly regenerative species, including axolotl ( Ambystoma mexicanum ), lungfish ( Lepidosiren paradoxa ), and Polpyterus ( Polypterus senegalus ). Further, vwde expression is tightly linked to the ability to regenerate appendages in Xenopus laevis . Functional experiments demonstrate a requirement for vwde in regeneration and indicate that Vwde is a potent growth factor in the blastema. These data identify a key role for vwde in regenerating blastemas and underscore the power of an evolutionarily informed approach for identifying conserved genetic components of regeneration.