Regeneration in bipinnaria larvae of the bat star Patiria miniata induces rapid and broad new gene expression

Abstract

Background Some metazoa have the capacity to regenerate lost body parts. This phenomenon in adults has been classically described in echinoderms, especially in sea stars (Asteroidea). Sea star bipinnaria larvae can also rapidly and effectively regenerate a complete larva after surgical bisection. Understanding the capacity to reverse cell fates in the larva is important from both a developmental and biomedical perspective; yet, the mechanisms underlying regeneration in echinoderms are poorly understood. Results Here, we describe the process of bipinnaria regeneration after bisection in the bat star Patiria miniata. We tested transcriptional, translational, and cell proliferation activity after bisection in anterior and posterior bipinnaria halves as well as expression of SRAP, reported as a sea star regeneration associated protease (Vickery et al., 2001b). Moreover, we found several genes whose transcripts increased in abundance following bisection, including: vasa, dysferlin, vitellogenin 1 and vitellogenin 2. Conclusion These results show a transformation following bisection, especially in the anterior halves, of cell fate reassignment in all three germ layers, with clear and predictable changes. These results define molecular events that accompany the cell fate changes coincident to the regenerative response in echinoderm larvae.

Analysis of sea star larval regeneration reveals conserved processes of whole-body regeneration across the metazoa

“…Both resulting larval fragments were completely regenerative, restoring all lost tissues and organs over the course of 2 weeks. These findings are consistent with previous reports of larval sea star regeneration [42, 43]. Although we focus on the regeneration of the posterior fragments, a similar regenerative response is apparent within the anterior fragment (Additional file 1: Figure S1).…”

“…Larval regeneration is more similar to the WBR observed in planaria and hydra, as it requires the complete re-growth of all tissues and organ systems. Molecular studies of regenerating sea star larvae have identified several regeneration-specific changes in gene expression, including the sea star regeneration-associated protease (SRAP; [41]), vasa , nodal , dysferlin , and vitellogenins ( vtg1 and vtg2 ) [42]. However, to date, a comprehensive survey of gene expression changes during larval echinoderm regeneration has not been reported.…”

Analysis of sea star larval regeneration reveals conserved processes of whole-body regeneration across the metazoa

“…Both resulting larval fragments were completely regenerative, restoring all lost tissues and organs over the course of two weeks. These findings are consistent with previous reports of larval asteroid regeneration [42,43] . Although we focus on the regeneration of the posterior fragments, a similar regenerative response is apparent within the anterior fragment (Figure 2-S2).…”

“…Larval regeneration is more similar to the WBR observed in planaria and hydra, as it requires the complete re-growth of all tissues and organ systems. Molecular studies of regenerating sea star larvae have identified several regeneration-specific changes in gene expression, including the sea star regeneration-associated protease (SRAP; [41] ), vasa , nodal , dysferlin , and vitellogenins ( vtg1 and vtg2 ) [42] . However, to date, a comprehensive survey of gene expression changes during larval echinoderm regeneration has not been reported.…”

Asexual Reproduction of Marine Invertebrate Embryos and Larvae

“…Echinoderm embryos and larvae exhibit a tremendous capacity for regeneration. Research has demonstrated that bisected echinoderm larvae of sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus, Luidia foliolata, and Patiria miniata) and sea urchins (Dendraster excentricus and Lytechinus variegatus) are capable of regrowing the excised portions of their body (Vickery and McClintock, 1998;Vickery et al, 2002;Oulhen et al, 2016). In most cases, the regenerated larvae successfully Luidiidae, order Paxillosida, Ophidiasteridae, order Valvatida, and Oreasteridae, order Valvatida), but genus and species-level identities could not be resolved.…”