Dynamic remodeling of translation programs drives hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration

During liver regeneration, most new hepatocytes arise from pre-existing ones; yet, the underlying mechanisms that drive these cells from quiescence to proliferation remain poorly defined. By using high-resolution transcriptome profiling of polysome fractions from purified hepatocytes isolated from quiescent and toxin-injured adult mouse livers,we uncover the mRNA transcripts regulated during liver regeneration. The translational remodeling modulates protein levels of a set of splicing factors including Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 2 (ESRP2), which activates an early postnatal splicing program in regenerating hepatocytes as well as metabolic genes.