Shared Molecules of Regeneration

Many aspects of regeneration resemble the process of development—for example, the process that first forms a limb. At the molecular level, many of the genes and molecules important in regeneration are key components of development. Despite the great range of regenerative abilities in the animal kingdom, many of these genes and molecules are shared among diverse groups of animals.

We will focus on two such molecules—Wnt and fibroblast growth factor (Fgf)—that are involved in regeneration in many species. The Wnt molecule is part of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. During development, the Wnt pathway is involved in specifying the head-tail body axis and providing positional information during development. Fgf is a family of molecules that is involved in many developmental functions, including the proliferation of blood vessels.