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Thesis
TELOMERE ELONGATION IN REGENERATING TISSUES OF THE GREY STARFISH, LUIDIA CLATHRATA
University of West Florida
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2016
Abstract
Regeneration of body tissues in starfish remains poorly understood despite centuries of study. In 2015 elongation of telomere sequences was documented in the asexually reproducing starfish Coscinasterias tenuispina, the first time such a phenomenon had ever been observed in somatic tissues. Here, telomere sequences were investigated in Luidia clathrata, a sexually reproducing species. Telomere elongation was confirmed in Luidia clathrata, after both arm injury and a simulated asexual split. Telomeres of juvenile starfish were consistently longer than those of adults. Telomerase expression was detected prior to injury as well as during regeneration, suggesting constitutive expression. As Luidia clathrata are not immediately related to Coscinasterias tenuspina, the presence of telomere elongation suggests that this ability may be common to all starfish.
Details
- Title
- TELOMERE ELONGATION IN REGENERATING TISSUES OF THE GREY STARFISH, LUIDIA CLATHRATA
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida
- Format
- text
- Identifiers
- 99380090743106600
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida