Current Understanding on Tail Regeneration in Green Anoles (Anolis carolinensis)

Abstract

Regeneration of lost tail is of great importance to lizards. Anolis carolinensis, a green lizard, is capable of regenerating its tail efficiently after autotomy. Hence, it is considered as a model organism in regeneration study. A. carolinensis shed its tail in order to distract the predator's attention and thus makes a way to escape. Restoring of the amputated tail takes several days and the mechanism is currently clearly understood. Although save its life, tail regeneration is associated with the impairment of several vital functions in Anoles. In addition, various differences have been observed between original and regenerated tail in terms of mechanism and structure. To date, very little work has been conducted on tail autotomy and regeneration at molecular and genetic level. The genes responsible for regeneration in anoles are identified recently. These genes are evolutionarily conserved through all tetrapod vertebrates. They are, however, in a state of 'switched-off' in other vertebrates including humans. Consequently, a throughout study of these so called 'switched-off' genes may provide a way of restoring lost organs in human, and thus could revolutionize the modern medical science.

Growth factors improve the proliferation of Jeju black pig muscle cells by regulating myogenic differentiation 1 and growth-related genes

“…The expression pattern of each gene was different depending on the growth factor added. Nain et al [ 29 ] have reported that ACAN , COL9A1 , and COL2A1 genes are involved in cell adhesion and skeletal system development during myogenesis. In addition, ACAN is also a cartilage specific matrix protein.…”

Tail regeneration in Lepidosauria as an exception to the generalized lack of organ regeneration in amniotes

“…In fact, tail regeneration activates numerous genes of development (Hutchins et al, 2014; Vitulo et al, 2017a, 2017b), forms a blastema rich in hyaluronic acid and water, large tissues such segmented muscle, a long axial skeleton, long nerves and vessels, large scales, and large adipomeres with numerous fat cells. A long list of past publications on the microscopic events of tail regeneration in different species of lizards is reported in Bellairs and Bryant (1985) and in Alibardi (1995, 2010, 2014a, 2017a), and additional information can be found in other recent papers (Chung, 2016; Fisher et al, 2012; Gilbert & Vickaryous, 2018; Gilbert, Payne, & Vickaryous, 2013; Lozito & Tuan, 2015, 2016a, 2016b; Nain, 2016). The cells contributing to the formation of the regenerative blastema and the new spinal cord appears from local dedifferentiation and also from putative stem cells present in various tissues of the tail stump (Alibardi, 2015a, 2016b, 2017e; Londono, Wenzhong, Wang, Tuan, & Lozito, 2017).…”

Growth factors improve the proliferation of Jeju black pig muscle cells by regulating MyoD and growth-related genes

“…The expression pattern of each gene was different depending on the growth factor added. Nain et al [29] have reported that ACAN, COL9A1, and COL2A1 genes are involved in cell adhesion and skeletal system development during myogenesis. ACAN is also a cartilage speci c matrix protein.…”