Cellular and molecular mechanisms of regeneration in Xenopus

The study uses transgenic methods and embryonic grafting to understand regeneration in Xenopus tadpoles, focusing on tail regeneration after amputation, which involves replacing spinal cord, notochord, and segmented muscles. Cell lineage tracing using GFP-labeled transgenic grafts indicates that during regeneration, tissues like the spinal cord, notochord, and muscle regenerate from their corresponding tissues in the stump without undergoing de-differentiation or metaplasia. Experiments using heat shock-induced gene expression demonstrate that the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Notch signaling pathways are essential for regeneration, with BMP acting upstream of Notch and independently affecting muscle regeneration.

• 1
  During tail regeneration in Xenopus tadpoles, there is no evidence of de-differentiation or metaplasia; instead, tissues regenerate from their corresponding tissues in the stump.
• 2
  The BMP and Notch signaling pathways are essential for tail regeneration, with BMP acting upstream of Notch and having an independent effect on muscle regeneration.
• 3
  The regenerative ability of Xenopus limb buds decreases during digit differentiation, and introducing various gene products to prolong regenerative capacity has not been successful.