Activation of Pax7-Positive Cells in a Non-Contractile Tissue Contributes to Regeneration of Myogenic Tissues in the Electric Fish S. macrurus

This study investigates how electric fish regenerate tissues, focusing on muscle and a muscle-derived electric organ. The research shows that regeneration in these fish relies on activating muscle stem cells, identified by a marker called Pax7. Unlike some other animals, the fish don't seem to regenerate by dedifferentiating mature cells back into stem cells.

• 1
  Pax7-positive muscle stem cells are found in both muscle fibers and electrocytes, the non-contractile cells of the electric organ.
• 2
  After amputation, Pax7-positive cells proliferate and are found in areas that regenerate muscle and the electric organ.
• 3
  Lineage tracing experiments showed no evidence of muscle or electrocyte fragmentation (cellularization) during regeneration.