Ancient gene gives planarians a heads-up in regeneration
Thursday, May 12, 2011 - 21:40
in Biology & Nature
A little-studied gene known as notum plays a key role in the planarian's regeneration decision-making process, according to scientists. At head-facing (anterior) wounds, the gene notum acts as a dimmer switch to dampen the Wnt pathway -- an ancient signaling circuit that operates in all animals -- and promote head regeneration.