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Gene expression in regenerating and scarring tails of lizard evidences three main key genes (wnt2b, egfl6, and arhgap28) activated during the regulated process of tail regeneration

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Abstract

We have analyzed the expression of key genes orchestrating tail regeneration in lizard under normal and scarring conditions after cauterization. At 1-day post-cauterization (1 dpc), the injured blastema contains degenerating epithelial and mesenchymal cells, numerous mast cells, and immune cells. At 3 and 7 dpc, a stratified wound epidermis is forming while fibrocytes give rise to a scarring connective tissue. Oncogenes such as wnt2b, egfl6, wnt6, and mycn and the tumor suppressor arhgap28 are much more expressed than other oncogenes (hmga2, rhov, fgf8, fgfr4, tert, shh) and tumor suppressors (apcdd1, p63, rb, fat2, bcl11b) in the normal blastema and at 7 dpc. Blastemas at 3 dpc feature the lowest upregulation of most genes, likely derived from damage after cauterization. Immunomodulator genes nfatc4 and lef1 are more expressed at 7 dpc than in normal blastema and 3 dpc suggesting the induction of immune response favoring scarring. Balanced over-expression of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and immune modulator genes determines regulation of cell proliferation (anti-oncogenic), of movement (anti-metastatic), and immunosuppression in the normal blastema. Significant higher expression of oncogenes wnt2b and egfl6 in normal blastema and higher expression of the tumor suppressor arhgap28 in the 7 dpc blastema indicate that they are among the key/master genes that determine the regulated regeneration of the tail.

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Acknowledgments

Comparative Histolab Padova (LA) supported part of the present study (animal housing, experiments, sample preparation, and microscopic studies). MDG was supported by Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (PN). LDV was supported by the University of Padova (RFO, 2018-2019).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical and Experimental Onco-Hematology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy

    Massimo Degan

  2. Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy

    Luisa Dalla Valle

  3. Comparative Histolab Padova, Padua, Italy

    Lorenzo Alibardi

  4. Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Via Semi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy

    Lorenzo Alibardi

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  1. Massimo Degan
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  2. Luisa Dalla Valle
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Correspondence to Lorenzo Alibardi.

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Degan, M., Dalla Valle, L. & Alibardi, L. Gene expression in regenerating and scarring tails of lizard evidences three main key genes (wnt2b, egfl6, and arhgap28) activated during the regulated process of tail regeneration. Protoplasma 258, 3–17 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-020-01545-6

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