Early gene expression during natural spinal cord regeneration in the salamander Ambystoma mexicanum.
In contrast to mammals, salamanders have a remarkable ability to regenerate their spinal cord and recover full movement and function after tail amputation. To identify genes that may be associated with this greater regenerative ability, we designed an oligonucleotide microarray and profiled early gene expression during natural spinal cord regeneration in Ambystoma mexicanum. We sampled tissue at five early time points after tail amputation and identified genes that registered significant changes in mRNA abundance during the first 7 days of regeneration. A list of 1036 statistically significant genes was identified. Additional statistical and fold change criteria were applied to identify a smaller list of 360 genes that were used to describe predominant expression patterns and gene functions. Our results show that a diverse injury response is activated in concert with extracellular matrix remodeling mechanisms during the early acute phase of natural spinal cord regeneration. We also report gene expression similarities and differences between our study and studies that have profiled gene expression after spinal cord injury in rat. Our study illustrates the utility of a salamander model for identifying genes and gene functions that may enhance regenerative ability in mammals.
Monaghan
James R
JR
Department of Biology & Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Walker
John A
JA
Page
Robert B
RB
Putta
Srikrishna
S
Beachy
Christopher K
CK
Voss
S Randal
SR
D000557:Ambystoma / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000235:genetics*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000235:genetics*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000235:genetics*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger