Work

Regeneration in planarians modifies behavioral switching

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: responds differently to localized stimuli: anterior regions turn, middle regions elongate, and posterior regions contract. If cut into several pieces, each piece immediately produces the same three responses. Over several days, each piece regenerates all transected body parts. This study tested how the pieces coordinate behavioral responses during regeneration. We first determined the locations of the turning/elongation and elongation/contraction behavioral switches. Immediately, all transections moved both switching sites away from the cut sites so that the worm pieces produced the same three responses as intact worms. During regeneration, the sites of behavioral switching moved progressively closer to the transection (now regeneration) sites. These results show that the immediate effects of transection (likely physiological) are coordinated with the addition of regenerating tissue (anatomical) to maintain as normal an animal as possible. Other animals that regenerate body parts, such as amphibians and reptiles, may use similar coordination mechanisms.

Source: iScience

DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.111947

Authors: Nayana S. Tellakula, Eva-Maria S. Collins, William B. Kristan

Institutions: University of California San Diego, Swarthmore College, University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,240

Funders: National Science Foundation, Swarthmore College, University of California, San Diego, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences