Neoblast-enriched zinc finger protein FIR1 triggers local proliferation during planarian regeneration

• Main Authors: Xiao-Shuai Han, Chen Wang, Fang-hao Guo, Shuang Huang, Yong-Wen Qin, Xian-Xian Zhao, Qing Jing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2018-03-01
• Series: Protein & Cell
• Subjects: local proliferation; adult stem cells; Dis3l2; wound recognition; planarians; Schmidtea mediterranea
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13238-018-0512-0

ABSTRACT Regeneration, relying mainly on resident adult stem cells, is widespread. However, the mechanism by which stem cells initiate proliferation during this process in vivo is unclear. Using planarian as a model, we screened 46 transcripts showing potential function in the regulation of local stem cell proliferation following 48 h regeneration. By analyzing the regeneration defects and the mitotic activity of animals under administration of RNA interference (RNAi), we identified factor for initiating regeneration 1 (Fir1) required for local proliferation. Our findings reveal that Fir1, enriched in neoblasts, promotes planarian regeneration in any tissue-missing context. Further, we demonstrate that DIS3 like 3′-5′ exoribonuclease 2 (Dis3l2) is required for Fir1 phenotype. Besides, RNAi knockdown of Fir1 causes a decrease of neoblast wound response genes following amputation. These findings suggest that Fir1 recognizes regenerative signals and promotes DIS3L2 proteins to trigger neoblast proliferation following amputation and provide a mechanism critical for stem cell response to injury.