Abstract
Regeneration in echinoderms has been extensively characterized physiologically, but fewer studies have addressed the genetic mechanisms underlying the process. Telomeres, genetic sequences on the ends of chromosomes that shorten with cell division, are associated with cell senescence, and thus genetic age after cell growth. Relative telomere lengths in the starfish Luidia clathrata were measured in arms of juveniles, adults prior to injury, and adults after injury during initial regeneration. Additionally, relative telomerase expression was measured in arms of adults prior to injury, at wound closure, and during initial regeneration. Telomeres were longer in juveniles than uninjured adults, indicating genetic aging. Telomeres elongated in adults after injury. Telomerase was detected before and after injury. The combination of genetic aging and telomerase expression both before and after injury suggests possible post-transcriptional regulation of telomerase. Additionally, as previous studies did not detect elongated telomeres in regenerated arms, it is possible that telomere elongation occurs early in the regenerative process as a mechanism to permit cellular division for growth without aging the final regenerated arm.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Colton Seals for starfish husbandry assistance, and Stacy Cecil and Katie Vaccaro for assistance with field work and collections. This study was funded by a Grant from the University of West Florida Scholarly and Creative Activities Committee (Grant No. 164317).
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All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted.
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Varney, R.M., Pomory, C.M. & Janosik, A.M. Telomere elongation and telomerase expression in regenerating arms of the starfish Luidia clathrata (Asteroidea: Echinodermata). Mar Biol 164, 195 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3230-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3230-x