Differential expression of FGF receptors during zebrafish fin regeneration

Teleost fins can be structural and functionally restored after severe injur ies or partial amputation through a process of epimorphic regeneration, whi ch requires an acute temporal and spatial control of basic cell events such as proliferation, and differentiation. FGF family of growth factors have b een shown to regulate cell growth, survival, migration and differentiation. Through these abilities, FGFs induce and/or direct patterning in animal de velopment and regeneration. Pleiotropic effects of FGFs are executed by act ivation of specific membrane receptors. In order to gain insights into the role of FGF signaling during teleost fin regeneration, we undertook the stu dy of the expression of the four described FGF receptors (FGFRs). Prelimina ry results are presented, showing different patterns of immunoreactivity fo r each receptor during outgrowth regeneration stages, that are suggestive o f particular functions for each of them.