Planarian fibroblast growth factor receptor homologs expressed in stem cells and cephalic ganglions

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-169x.2002.00634.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-11T14:25:55Z
• Authors: Kazuya Ogawa; Chiyoko Kobayashi; Tetsutaro Hayashi; Hidefumi Orii; Kenji Watanabe; Kiyokazu Agata
• Keywords: Planarian; Blastema

The strong regenerative capacity of planarians is considered to reside in the totipotent somatic stem cell called ‘neoblast’. However, signal systems regulating differentiation/growth/migration cells remain unclear. fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/FGF receptor (FGFR) system thought mediate various developmental events both vertebrates and invertebrates. We examined molecular structures expression DjFGFR1 DjFGFR2 , two planarian genes closely related other animal FGFR genes. proteins contain three immunoglobulin‐like domains, respectively, extracellular region a split tyrosine kinase domain intracellular region. Expression was observed cephalic ganglion mesenchymal space intact planarians. In regenerating planarians, accumulation ‐expressing blastema fragments either pharynx or brain. X‐ray‐irradiated which had lost capacity, number decreased markedly. These results suggest that protein may be involved controlling such aspects regeneration as cells.