In some metazoan species, there has been groundbreaking research in the regenerative field that highlights the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and its derivatives as signaling molecules with instructive functions during regeneration. However, we do not know the origins of genes associated with ROS metabolism. Here, I delve into the molecular dynamics of genes associated with ROS metabolism to unravel their potential correlation with biologically important phases in regeneration, namely apoptosis and cell proliferation. To do so I used molecular tools from the NvERTx website to look into the gene expression levels of a set of genes that produce, convert and detoxify ROS. Additionally, whole mount in situ hybridization was also performed on this set of genes at different time points. The results obtained from the graphs of gene expression indicate increasing levels of expression that correspond to phases involving certain biological processes that take place during regeneration. These are the beginning of apoptosis and cell proliferation. As a result of the WISH experiments a series of staining patterns emerged with a focus in two locations: amputation site and mesenteries. These results imply that i) ROS metabolism genes potentially have a role in apoptosis and cell proliferation ii) amputation site and mesenteries are important locations of transcriptional activity.
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