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Tail loss and telomeres: consequences of large-scale tissue regeneration in a terrestrial ectotherm

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 05:29 authored by Luisa FitzpatrickLuisa Fitzpatrick, Olsson, M, Laura ParsleyLaura Parsley, Pauliny, A, Geoffrey WhileGeoffrey While, Erik WapstraErik Wapstra
Large-scale tissue regeneration has potential consequences for telomere length through increases in cell division and changes in metabolism which increase the potential for oxidative stress damage to telomeres. The effects of regeneration on telomere dynamics have been studied in fish and marine invertebrates, but the literature is scarce for terrestrial species. We experimentally induced tail autotomy in a lizard (Niveoscincus ocellatus) and assessed relative telomere length (RTL) in blood samples before and after partial tail regeneration while concurrently measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The change in ROS levels was a significant explanatory variable for the change in RTL over the 60-day experiment. At the average value of ROS change, the mean RTL increased significantly in the control group (intact tails), but there was no such evidence in the regenerating group. By contrast, ROS levels decreased significantly in the regenerating group, but there was no such evidence in the control group. Combined, these results suggest that tail regeneration following autotomy involves a response to oxidative stress and this potentially comes at a cost to telomere repair. This change in telomere maintenance demonstrates a potential long-term cost of tail regeneration beyond the regrowth of tissue itself.

Funding

Australian Research Council

History

Publication title

Biology Letters

Volume

15

Issue

7

Article number

20190151

Number

20190151

Pagination

1-5

ISSN

1744-9561

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

The Royal Society Publishing

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2019 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences

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    University Of Tasmania

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