Significance of Fgf-2 during Tail Regeneration in Lizards: a Review

Among reptiles, lizards have retained remarkable power of regenerating their tails as part of their adaptation. The healing of the wound is a crucial event which differentiates the regenerating and non-regenerating tissues due to presence of signaling molecules that guide the wound for the regeneration of the lost tail. This crucial event includes signals like FGFs, especially FGF-2, and Wnt proteinsVEGF, EGF etc. FGF-2 is released by nerve endings at the AEC and might be involved in dedifferentiation of cells and formation of blastema. Cross talks between FGF-2 and other signaling molecules,during initial stages of blastema formation, lead to the pathways that regenerate the lost tail in lizards. FGF-2 is involved in reshuffling of the extracellular matrix by activating MMPs, angiogenesis, spinal cord regeneration and muscle regeneration. Inhibition of FGF-2 or its receptors before or during blastema formation hampers or stops the regeneration process.