Decaying and Expanding ERK Gradients Process Memory of Skeletal Size During Zebrafish Fin Regeneration
January 2025
TLDR Erk signaling helps zebrafish fins regrow to the right size by using memory of the original size.
The study investigates the role of Erk signaling in zebrafish fin regeneration, focusing on how positional memory influences tissue growth. Researchers found that Erk activity in osteoblasts is dependent on Fgf receptor signaling and forms gradients from the distal tip to the amputation site. These gradients correlate with the amount of tissue amputated and predict both osteoblast cycling and the size of regenerated skeletal structures. Mathematical modeling and experimental data suggest that these gradients are established by the deposition of long-lived ligands, such as fgf20a, which are transported by tissue growth. This research highlights the importance of localized, scaled expression of pro-regenerative ligands in controlling skeletal size during appendage regeneration.
