Meeting Abstract

47.5  Sunday, Jan. 5 11:15  Molecular mechanisms for whole-body regeneration in acoels SRIVASTAVA, M*; MAZZA-CURLL, KM; REDDIEN, P; Whitehead Institute/MIT; Whitehead Institute/MIT; Whitehead Institute/MIT mansi@wi.mit.edu

Whole-body regeneration is widespread in the Metazoa, yet little is known about how underlying molecular processes compare across distantly related phyla. Acoels are an enigmatic phylum of invertebrate worms that can be highly informative about many questions in bilaterian evolution, including regeneration. We developed the three-banded panther worm, Hofstenia miamia, as a new acoelomorph model system for molecular studies of regeneration. Hofstenia were readily cultured, with accessible embryos, juveniles, and adults for experimentation. We developed molecular tools and resources for study of gene function in Hofstenia regeneration, including a complete transcriptome and robust systemic RNAi. We report the identification of molecular mechanisms that promote regeneration of the two major body axes in Hofstenia. Phylogenetic analyses using the Hofstenia transcriptome support an early branching position for acoels among bilaterians. Based on the striking similarity of regeneration in Hofstenia and a protostome lineage, the Platyhelminthes, we propose that regenerative mechanisms have been well conserved over 500 million years of bilaterian evolution.