The Journal of Neuroscience, 2009 · DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4748-09.2009 · Published: December 2, 2009
Adult zebrafish, unlike mammals, can regenerate motor neurons after spinal cord injury. This study investigates the role of sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling in this regeneration process. The researchers found that genes involved in motor neuron development, including shha, nkx6.1, and pax6, are expressed in specific cells in the zebrafish spinal cord. After injury, the expression of these genes increases significantly. Blocking Shh signaling impairs motor neuron regeneration, suggesting that Shh plays a crucial role in this process. Other signaling pathways, such as FGF and retinoic acid, may also be involved.
Shh signaling could be a potential therapeutic target for promoting motor neuron regeneration after spinal cord injury.
Understanding the mechanisms underlying motor neuron regeneration in zebrafish could provide insights into how to promote regeneration in mammals.
The zebrafish spinal lesion model could be useful for identifying and testing drugs that promote motor neuron regeneration.