The Mechanisms Behind Starfish Limb Regeneration Could Help In Human Injuries, Study Shows

When most animals are attacked by predators, it often results in fatal outcomes. However, some creatures, like starfish, have evolved a unique survival strategy known as autotomy. This allows them to autonomously detach an appendage such as an arm in order to escape and survive. A new study from Queen Mary University of London, published in Current Biology, focuses on understanding this phenomenon in the common European starfish Asterias rubens. This is prepared by SSP.

The Role of Neurohormones

Researchers have identified a neurohormone akin to the human hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) that plays a crucial role in triggering this self-preservative act. This neurohormone, termed as an 'autotomy-promoting factor,' causes starfish to shed one or more limbs when injected. The starfish can sometimes lose up to four arms, leaving just the central region and one remaining arm.

Function of the Tourniquet Muscle

Dr. Ana Tinoco, who contributed to the study, elaborates that the CCK-type neurohormone is found in nerve fibers within a specialized muscle at the base of each starfish arm, known as the tourniquet muscle. When this neurohormone is released in response to a predator attack, it induces muscle contractions that help an arm detachment process. The muscle contraction aids in the arm falling off and also helps seal the wound, allowing the starfish to escape alive.

Starfish as a Model for Regeneration Research

Starfish are not only adept at surviving predator attacks but can also regenerate their lost limbs over several weeks to months. This ability to regenerate provides valuable insights into potential applications in the field of regenerative medicine. By understanding the mechanisms of autotomy and regeneration in starfish, researchers hope to develop therapies that could improve recovery from limb injuries in humans and other animals.

Significance of the Findings

Maurice Elphick, the lead researcher of the project, emphasizes the groundbreaking nature of this discovery as it is the first to identify a neurohormone that triggers autotomy in animals. He suggests that further research in this domain could reveal how other animals also participate in autotomy and limb regeneration, broadening its applicability beyond starfish.

Elphick remarks, "Our findings not only shed light on an amazing biological phenomenon but offer potential foundations for future studies in improving regenerative medicine."

Conclusion

This fascinating research highlights the remarkable survival and regenerative capabilities of starfish, influenced by a neurohormone related to human CCK. Understanding these processes might pave the way for significant advancements in treating limb injuries across various species, including humans.