Novel gene in red blood cells may help adult newts regenerate limbs

(University of Tsukuba) Adult newts can repeatedly regenerate body parts. Researchers from Japan, including the University of Tsukuba, and the University of Daytona, have identified Newtic1, a gene that is expressed in clumps of red blood cells in the circulating blood. These clumps are also newly generated in the stump region of amputated limbs of the adult newt. The study suggests, for the first time, an oxygen-independent delivery role for red blood cells in non-mammalian vertebrates.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news