%0 Journal Article
%T Understanding the Multi-Functional Role of TCTP in the Regeneration Process of Earthworm, Perionyx excavatus.
%A Rajagopalan K
%A Christyraj JDS
%A Chelladurai KS
%A Das P
%A Mahendran K
%A Nagarajan L
%A Gunalan S
%J Tissue Eng Regen Med
%V 21
%N 2
%D 2024 02 7
%M 37935935
%F 4.451
%R 10.1007/s13770-023-00599-w
%X Regeneration is a highly complex process that requires the coordination of numerous molecular events, and identifying the key ruler that governs is important to investigate. While it has been shown that TCTP is a multi-functional protein that regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, anti-apoptosis, stem cell maintenance, and immune responses, but only a few studies associated to regeneration have been reported. To investigate the multi-functional role of TCTP in regeneration, the earthworm Perionyx excavatus was chosen.<BR>Through pharmacological suppression of TCTP, amputation, histology, molecular docking, and western blotting, the multi-function role of TCTP involved in regeneration is revealed.<BR>Amputational studies show that P. excavatus is a clitellum-independent regenerating earthworm resulting in two functional worms upon amputation. Arresting cell cycle at the G1/S boundary using 2 mM Thymidine confirms that P. excavatus execute both epimorphosis and morphallaxis regeneration mode. The pharmacological suppression of TCTP using buclizine results in regeneration suppression. Following the combinatorial injection of 2 mM Thymidine and buclizine, the earthworm regeneration is completely blocked, which suggests a critical functional role of TCTP in morphallaxis. The pharmacological inhibition of TCTP also suppresses the key proteins involved in regeneration: Wnt3a (stem cell marker), PCNA (cell proliferation) and YAP1 (Hippo signalling) but augments the expression of cellular stress protein p53.<BR>The collective results indicate that TCTP synchronously is involved in the process of stem cell activation, cell proliferation, morphallaxis, and organ development in the regeneration event.