Smedinx-11 is a Planarian Stem Cell Gap Junction Gene Required for Regeneration and Homeostasis.
From: Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Forsyth Institute, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Development (Cambridge, England)
- Publish Date: Sep 2007
- ISSN: 0950-1991
- Volume: 134
- Issue: 17
- Pages: 3121-31
- Medium: Print
- Language: English
- Citation (JAMA): Oviedo Néstor J, Levin Michael, et al. Smedinx-11 is a Planarian Stem Cell Gap Junction Gene Required for Regeneration and Homeostasis.. Development Sep 2007;134:3121-31
Abstract
The largely unknown mechanisms that regulate adult stem cells probably involve signals from neighboring differentiated cells. Gap junction channels providing direct cell-cell communication via small molecules are a crucial component of morphogenesis and normal physiology. However, no specific gap junction protein has yet been functionally linked to adult/somatic stem cell behavior in vivo or to organ regeneration. We report the identification and characterization of smedinx-11 — an innexin gap junction channel gene expressed in the adult stem cells (neoblasts) of the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. smedinx-11 RNAi treatment inhibits regeneration and abrogates neoblast maintenance. Moreover, smedinx-11 expression is enriched in an irradiation-sensitive subpopulation (;X2’) and is required for proper expression of other stem cell-specific markers. Analyses of the smedinx-11 downregulation phenotype revealed a striking anterior-posterior neoblast gradient. Our data demonstrate a novel role for gap junction proteins and suggest gap junction-mediated signaling as a new and tractable control point for adult, somatic stem cell regulation.
Mesh Headings (Keywords): Animals, Animals, Genetically Modified, Cloning, Molecular, Embryo, Nonmammalian, Gap Junctions, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Genes, Helminth, Homeostasis, Models, Biological, Planarians, Regeneration, Xenopus
Check for Full Text / PubMed Unique Identifier (PMID): 17670787
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