Regeneration of neural crest derivatives in the Xenopus tadpole tail

After a Xenopus tadpole loses its tail, it can regrow a new one. This study looks at how certain cell types called neural crest derivatives, specifically pigment cells and nerve cells, regenerate in the new tail. The study found that pigment cells (melanophores) do regenerate in the new tail, and they come from existing precursor cells near the amputation site. However, the nerve clusters (spinal ganglia) do not regenerate well. Even though the spinal ganglia don't fully regenerate, the new tail does develop some sensory systems, allowing it to function. The regeneration process doesn't recreate the exact conditions of the original embryonic development.

• 1
  Cells do not emigrate from the spinal cord during tail regeneration, indicating that a new neural crest is not induced as in embryonic development.
• 2
  Spinal ganglia are not regenerated in the tail, but sensory neurons are regenerated within the spinal cord, and there is sensory innervation of the skin.
• 3
  Melanophores in the regenerated tail originate from pre-existing melanophore precursors near the amputation site, not from the spinal cord or other non-neural crest-derived cells.