Systematic profiling of early regulators during tissue regeneration using zebrafish model

Great progresses have been made in comprehension of tissue regeneration process. However, one of the central questions in regeneration research remains to be deciphered is what factors initiate regenerative process. In present study, we focused on systematic profiling of early regulators in tissue regeneration via high-throughput screening on zebrafish caudal fin model. Firstly, 53 GO-annotated regeneration-related genes, which were specifically activated upon fin amputation, were identified according to the transcriptomic analysis. Moreover, qRT-PCR analysis of a couple of randomly selected genes from the aforementioned gene list validated our sequencing results. These studies confirmed the reliability of transcriptome sequencing analysis. Fibroblast growth factor 20a (fgf20a) is a key initial factor in the regeneration of zebrafish. Through a gene expression correlation analysis, we discovered a collection of 70 genes correlating withfgf20a, whose expression increased promptly at 2 days post amputation (dpa) and went down to the basal level until the completion of fin regeneration. In addition, two genes,socs3bandnppc, were chosen to investigate their functions during the fin regeneration. Inhibition of either of those genes significantly delayed the regenerative process. Taken together, we provided a simple and effective time-saving strategy that may serve as a tool for identifying early regulators in regeneration and identified 71 genes as early regulators of fin regeneration.

Automated summary

Great progresses have been made in understanding tissue regeneration process, but the central question of what factors initiate regeneration remains to be deciphered. Through high-throughput screening on zebrafish caudal fin model, 53 regeneration-related genes were identified, with fgf20a identified as a key initial factor. Gene expression correlation analysis revealed 70 genes correlating with fgf20a, and inhibition of genes like socs3b and nppc significantly delayed the regenerative process.