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Research Uncovers Potential Stem Cells in Immortal Sea Anemone
The sea anemone species Nematostella vectensis has caught the attention of developmental biologists, particularly for its remarkable regenerative abilities. Recent studies led by Ulrich Technau from the University of Vienna have successfully identified candidate multipotent stem cells within this organism for the first time, utilizing advanced molecular genetic techniques.
These candidates are regulated by genes that have remained evolutionarily conserved throughout time, suggesting a link to regenerative capabilities seen in ancient animal phyla, including cnidarians. Notably, these genes are typically active in humans only during the formation of egg and sperm cells, hinting at significant implications for understanding regeneration and aging. The findings were published in Science Advances, potentially opening new avenues for insights into human aging processes.
Stem cells play a pivotal role in the continuous renewal of various tissues in humans, such as blood, skin, and hair. Their decline in number or function is often associated with the aging process or the development of various diseases, which makes them a focal point in biomedical research.
While humans and most vertebrates possess only limited regenerative capacities, Nematostella vectensis demonstrates a more extensive regenerative prowess. This ability is attributed to its pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, which can differentiate into nearly all cell types within its body.
These sea anemones exhibit notable features such as asexual reproduction through budding and the absence of visible aging signs. Yet, the specific stem cells responsible for these capabilities have remained elusive until now.
Employing a novel “Single Cell Genomics” approach, Technau and his research team were able to categorize cells within the organism based on their unique transcriptome profiles, effectively tracing their development from potential stem cells.
“Through the integration of single-cell gene expression analysis and transgenesis, we have identified a substantial population of cells in Nematostella vectensis that differentiate into cell types like nerve and glandular cells, positioning them as possible multipotent stem cells,” stated Andreas Denner, the first author of the study from the University of Vienna. The minute size of these cells had previously hindered their identification.
These candidate stem cells express highly conserved genes, specifically nanos and piwi, which are critical for germ cell development across various animal species, including humans. By employing CRISPR gene editing to mutate the nanos2 gene, the researchers demonstrated its necessity for germ cell formation in the sea anemone, reinforcing findings from studies in other species that underscore the gene’s role in gamete production.
This research indicates that the functions associated with this gene date back approximately 600 million years and have been maintained throughout evolution. Future investigations by Technau’s team aim to delve deeper into the distinctive characteristics of the stem cells in Nematostella vectensis, seeking to understand the underlying mechanisms that contribute to its apparent immortality.
More information:
Andreas Denner et al, Nanos2 marks precursors of somatic lineages and is required for germline formation in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado0424
Citation:
Sea anemone study identifies potentially regenerative stem cells linked to conserved genes (2024, August 19) retrieved 19 August 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-08-sea-anemone-potentially-regenerative-stem.html
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