Potworm (Enchytraeus japonensis) as a potential platform for drug screening in regenerative medicine
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Regenerative medicine holds substantial promise for restoring the function of damaged or lost organs and tissues. However, the development of effective small-molecule drugs in this field has been limited, partially owing to the lack of suitable regenerative animal models for drug discovery. Enchytraeus japonensis, a small annelid with exceptional regenerative capacity, is emerging as a valuable model for regeneration research. E. japonensis regenerates in a shorter period, in only 4 days, than other major regenerative animal models. Moreover, novel experimental systems have recently been developed to enhance the utility of E. japonensis, including a soaking RNA interference system for easy, non-invasive gene knockdown, an imaging system for quantifying cell distribution in the blastema, and soaking-based pharmacological inhibition using small-molecule compounds. This review highlights E. japonensis as a potential platform for chemical screening in regenerative medicine.
Source: Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics
Authors: Toshiyuki Fujita, Shinji Yamaguchi
Institution: Teikyo University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Awards: 傷跡の残らない治癒を指向した器官再生を促進する遺伝子の探索, Thyroid hormone-mediated actin dynamics regulate the reopening of the sensitive period of filial imprinting in chicks, Thyroid hormone-mediated actin dynamics regulate the reopening of the sensitive period of filial imprinting in chicks, the neural basis underlying the social behavior of chicks regulated by serotonin
OpenAlex ID: W7128692854