Experimentally induced metamorphosis in axolotls reduces regenerative rate and fidelity

Regeneration

James R. Monaghan¹  Adrian C. Stier¹  François Michonneau¹  Matthew D. Smith¹  Bret Pasch¹  Malcolm Maden¹ 

[1] Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

关键词: Axolotl;    cell cycle;    limb;    metamorphosis;    regeneration;    salamander;   

DOI  :  10.1002/reg2.8

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

While most tetrapods are unable to regenerate severed body parts, amphibians display a remarkable ability to regenerate an array of structures. Frogs can regenerate appendages as larva, but they lose this ability around metamorphosis. In contrast, salamanders regenerate appendages as larva, juveniles, and adults. However, the extent to which fundamental traits (e.g., metamorphosis, body size, aging, etc.) restrict regenerative ability remains contentious. Here we utilize the ability of normally paedomorphic adult axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) to undergo induced metamorphosis by thyroxine exposure to test how metamorphosis and body size affects regeneration in age-matched paedomorphic and metamorphic individuals. We show that body size does not affect regeneration in adult axolotls, but metamorphosis causes a twofold reduction in regeneration rate, and lead to carpal and digit malformations. Furthermore, we find evidence that metamorphic blastemal cells may take longer to traverse the cell cycle and display a lower proliferative rate. This study identifies the axolotl as a powerful system to study how metamorphosis restricts regeneration independently of developmental stage, body size, and age; and more broadly how metamorphosis affects tissue-specific changes.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 The Authors. Regeneration published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.