Are surface potentials necessary for amphibian limb regeneration?

Bioelectric signaling in regeneration: Mechanisms of ionic controls of growth and form

The ability to control pattern formation is critical for the both the embryonic development of complex structures as well as for the regeneration/repair of damaged or missing tissues and organs. In addition to chemical gradients and gene regulatory networks, endogenous ion flows are key regulators of cell behavior. Not only do bioelectric cues provide information needed for the initial development of structures, they also enable the robust restoration of normal pattern after injury. In order to expand our basic understanding of morphogenetic processes responsible for the repair of complex anatomy, we need to identify the roles of endogenous voltage gradients, ion flows, and electric fields. In complement to the current focus on molecular genetics, decoding the information transduced by bioelectric cues enhances our knowledge of the dynamic control of growth and pattern formation. Recent advances in science and technology place us in an exciting time to elucidate the interplay between molecular-genetic inputs and important biophysical cues that direct the creation of tissues and organs. Moving forward, these new insights enable additional approaches to direct cell behavior and may result in profound advances in augmentation of regenerative capacity.

Stump currents in regenerating salamanders and newts

We report here that a variety of salamanders and newts from differing habitats all drive a steady ionic electric current out of the forelimb stump tip after forelimb amputation. Several hours after amputation the density of this stump current ranges from about 10 to 100 microA/cm2 in most species, and declines with time. In most cases, the magnitude of the stump current is dependent on the concentration of Na+ in the external medium (an artificial pondwater), suggesting that the well-known Na+ -dependent transcutaneous voltage described in amphibia (particularly frogs) is the EMF for this stump current. These measurements add to those previously reported for the North American red spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens), and suggest that electrical changes following amputation of urodele limbs are widespread among members of this group.

Bioelectric activity in the rabbit ear regeneration

A 1-cm-diameter hole was punched through rabbits' ears. The surface potentials during wound healing of regenerating (normal) and partially and nonregenerating (decartilaged) ears were measured. The time sequence of these surface potentials were similar to those reported to occur in regenerating amphibians forelimbs. A small positive potential was observed for about 1 week, and this was followed by a larger negative potential of up to 20 mV, with different durations. The duration of the positive potential was about the same as which was observed in amphibians. The duration and the amplitude of the negative potential were greatest for completely regenerating ears with overgrowth, smaller for partially regenerating ears, and smallest for the nonregenerating ears. The surface potential was localized. If a nipple-shaped outgrowth developed after the hole was closed, the surface potential was observed only on this outgrowth; immediately outside it, the potential was normal. We concluded that the negative bioelectric activity accompanies growth, and while growth continues, negative bioelectric potential continues.