High expressions of the cytoglobin and PGC-1α genes during the tissue regeneration of house gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus) tails

Abstract

Background The tissue regeneration process requires high oxygen and energy levels. Cytoglobin (Cygb) is a member of the globin family, which has the ability to bind oxygen, plays a role in dealing with oxidative stress, and carries oxygen into the mitochondria. Energy production for tissue regeneration is associated with mitochondria—especially mitochondrial biogenesis. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1alpha protein helps to regulate mitochondrial biogenesis. House geckos ( Hemidactylus platyurus ) are reptiles that have the ability to regenerate the tissue in their tails. House geckos were selected as the animal models for this study in order to analyze the association of Cygb with oxygen supply and the association of PGC-1α with energy production for tissue regeneration. Results The growth of house gecko tails showed a slow growth at the wound healing phase, then followed by a fast growth after wound healing phase of the regeneration process. While Cygb mRNA expression reached its peak at the wound healing phase and slowly decreased until the end of the observation. PGC-1α mRNA was expressed and reached its peak earlier than Cygb. Conclusions The expressions of both the Cygb and PGC-1α genes were relatively high compared to the control group. We therefore suggest that Cygb and PGC-1α play an important role during the tissue regeneration process.

Lessons from the post-genomic era: Globin diversity beyond oxygen binding and transport

“…Singh and colleagues [ 300 ] suggested a major role of Cygb in muscle repair and regeneration, as myogenic progenitor cells derived from a mouse model in which Cygb was specifically knocked out in skeletal muscle, were severely deficient in their ability to form myotubes. The regenerative function of Cygb was also proposed during tail re-growth in the house gecko [ 301 ]. It was further shown that hypertension is associated with loss of Cygb in rat aorta, whereas its overexpression promoted the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, suggesting a role in vascular wall remodeling [ 302 ].…”