Found a molecule that restores the cartilage and muscle tissue
Scientists were able to detect the microRNA molecules that are responsible for regeneration of tail in lizard. Researchers believe that these fragments of RNA in the future may help the person to restore the cartilage, muscles and spine. The paper was published in the journal BMC Genomics.
If you grab a lizard by the tail, she’ll leave him in your hands, and then grow a new one. Until now scientists have not known exactly how the regenerating tail of lizards.
Scientists from the Institute for genomic research and the University of Arizona found in a lizard species Anolis carolinensis three previously unknown microRNA molecules. Researchers believe that they play an important role in regeneration.
Earlier, a team of scientists from the University of Arizona have identified hundreds of genes involved in the regeneration of a lizard. “We are very excited to have been able to find these microRNAs, and now we can thoroughly examine them. Because microRNAs are able to control a large number of genes, as an orchestra conductor watches the game of musicians”, says one of the authors, Kenro, Kusumi.
In future, the opening of scientists in conjunction with their six-year-old research could help to develop approaches to “turn on” genes of regeneration in the human body.
Elizabeth Hutchins, lead author, hopes that eventually this study will help to create a regenerating knee cartilage, restore the spine in victims of accidents or to help injured veterans of war
