Genes responsible for the regeneration of fins in zebrafish and tails in lizards have analogs in humans. The only difference is in the sequence that regulates recovery processes after injury.
This conclusion was reached by scientists from the Duke University School of Medicine (USA), and then published the data of their research in the scientific journal Nature.
The study was conducted on aquarium zebrafish, which are capable of regenerating damaged fins. According to cell biology professor Kenneth D Poss, his team was trying to discover pathways that could cause human genes to regenerate limbs in the same way that genes of fish or lizards do. Indeed, at the dawn of evolution, this ability existed.
Scientists have achieved some success, although they note that their current work is only the beginning of a long journey. Experts have identified a gene that is activated in fish with amputated fins. The reinforcing elements were then identified, down to the shortest DNA sequence. The discovered element, as it turned out, can be used to improve the efficiency of regeneration. And this applies to all mammals, including humans. But so far, scientists have switched to experiments with laboratory rats. Perhaps soon their research will help people grow amputated fingers or even limbs.
