Utilization of a novel deuterostome model for the study of regeneration genetics: molecular cloning of genes that are differentially expressed duringearly stages of larval sea star regeneration

Sea stars share many characteristics with vertebrates, including deuterosto me type development. We previously reported that sea star larvae are capabl e of complete regeneration (with organogenesis) of missing body parts. Here we report the first application of whole-body cDNA subtractive hybridizati on for the identification of regeneration-specific gene expression in a deu terostome. We identified nine novel cDNAs from genes differentially express ed during early larval sea star regeneration, including a serine protease w hich may have a function similar to that of trypsin/plasmin-like proteases during vertebrate wound repair and regeneration. This study demonstrates th at sea star larvae can provide a valuable new deuterostome model for the st udy of regeneration genetics, with potential applications in vertebrate reg eneration. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.