An ATAC-seq dataset uncovers the regulatory landscape during axolotl limb regeneration

Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is a tetrapod species with extraordinary power to regenerate its body parts when lost entirely, thus serves as an illustrious model for regeneration research. Even though several previous studies have investigated the transcriptomic patterns, axolotl regeneration’s epigenetic regulations remain elusive. To identify critical regulatory elements during axolotl limb regeneration, we report an ATAC-seq dataset with 24 ATAC-seq profiles from axolotl upper forearm tissues at the homeostatic stage and seven regenerative stages. 342,341 regulatory elements were identified from the dataset, of which 33,604 exhibited transient dynamic changes. We also performed transcription factors enrichment analysis to examine the occupancy by key transcription factors that drive specific regeneration events. Our results provide an unprecedented resource on the axolotl epigenome, which will enhance the comprehension of the underlying mechanisms for axolotl regeneration and further boost the development of regeneration research.

钝口螈（Axolotl，学名Ambystoma mexicanum）是一类四足动物，其肢体完全缺失后具备极强的再生能力，因此成为再生研究领域的经典模型。尽管此前已有多项研究对其转录组模式展开探索，但钝口螈再生过程中的表观遗传调控机制仍不明晰。为明确钝口螈肢体再生过程中的关键调控元件，本研究报道了一套ATAC测序（ATAC-seq）数据集，包含24组来自钝口螈前臂上段组织的ATAC-seq图谱，样本涵盖稳态阶段与7个再生阶段。该数据集共鉴定出342341个调控元件，其中33604个呈现出瞬时动态变化特征。本研究同时开展了转录因子富集分析，以探究驱动特定再生事件的关键转录因子的结合占据情况。本研究结果为钝口螈表观基因组提供了前所未有的宝贵资源，将助力学界深化对钝口螈再生潜在机制的理解，并进一步推动再生研究领域的发展。