Evolutionary divergence in tail regeneration between Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis

Tissue regeneration is an important area of biomedicine, especially for organ replacement. While many human organs cannot regenerate, some animals, like the frog Xenopus laevis, can regenerate certain body parts. Xenopus laevis tadpoles can regenerate their tails, but this ability is temporarily lost during a period called the "refractory period." The molecular reasons for this are not well understood. This study compares tail regeneration in Xenopus laevis with a related species, Xenopus tropicalis, and finds that Xenopus tropicalis does not have this refractory period. This difference may help scientists understand how regeneration is controlled.

• 1
  Xenopus laevis tadpoles exhibit a refractory period (stages 45-47) during which they cannot regenerate their tails after amputation.
• 2
  Xenopus tropicalis tadpoles can regenerate their tails at all stages examined, including those corresponding to the refractory period in X. laevis.
• 3
  The absence of a refractory period in X. tropicalis provides an opportunity to study the genetic and molecular mechanisms controlling tail regeneration using gene editing and genomic approaches.