TALEN-mediated gene editing of the thrombospondin-1 locus in axolotl

This study explores the use of transcription-activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) to modify a specific gene, thrombospondin-1 (tsp-1), in axolotls. Axolotls are salamanders known for their exceptional ability to regenerate limbs and other body parts. The researchers successfully edited the tsp-1 gene in axolotl embryos and observed the effects on limb regeneration. They found that animals with the edited gene still regenerated limbs, but there were changes in the structure and composition of the regenerated tissue. Specifically, the edited limbs showed a thinner layer of collagen beneath the skin and an increased number of myeloid cells (a type of immune cell) within the blastema, which is a mass of cells that forms during regeneration. This suggests that tsp-1 plays a role in regulating the recruitment of immune cells and the formation of collagen during limb regeneration in axolotls.

• 1
  TALENs can be effectively used to edit genes in axolotls, demonstrating a protocol for generating and genotyping mosaic axolotls with TALEN-mediated gene edits.
• 2
  Mosaic depletion of TSP-1 results in decreased collagen thickness beneath the epidermis in the limb.
• 3
  Mosaic depletion of TSP-1 results in increased numbers of myeloid cells within the blastema.