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Methionine in pattern control of Hydra

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Central European Journal of Biology

Abstract

The fresh water polyp Hydra is noted for its ability to regenerate missing body parts. Transplantation experiments indicate that the control of regeneration includes signalling over long distances. These signals appear to include diffusible morphogens, activators and inhibitors. In order to elucidate the nature of such signals, tissue of polyps was homogenized and fractionated. The fractions were tested for their ability to hinder head regeneration. The active factor within these fractions was determined to be methionine. Both the active fractions and L-methionine were found to antagonize not only head regeneration but also foot regeneration. Budding, the asexual means of reproduction, is antagonized. L-methionine acts in micromolar concentrations while the stereoisomer D-methionine does not. L-methionine may act by providing a methyl group in transmethylation processes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Zoology, University of Cologne, 50923, Köln, Germany

    Stefan Berking, Uwe Hoffmann & Klaus Herrmann

  2. Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Cologne, 50923, Köln, Germany

    Mathias Schäfer

Authors
  1. Stefan Berking
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  2. Uwe Hoffmann
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  3. Mathias Schäfer
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  4. Klaus Herrmann
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Correspondence to Klaus Herrmann.

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Berking, S., Hoffmann, U., Schäfer, M. et al. Methionine in pattern control of Hydra . cent.eur.j.biol. 4, 549–557 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11535-009-0038-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11535-009-0038-9

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