Bolitoglossa ramosi differential expressed genes during limb regeneration

Tissue regeneration is widely distributed across the tree of life. Among vertebrates, salamanders possess an exceptional ability to regenerate amputated limbs and other complex structures. Thus far, molecular insights about limb regeneration have come from a relatively limited number of species from two closely related salamander families. To gain broader perspective on the molecular basis of limb regeneration and enhance the molecular toolkit of an emerging plethodontid salamander (Bolitoglossa ramosi), we used RNA-seq to generate transcript sequence data and identify 602 genes that are differentially expressed during limb regeneration. This list was further processed to identify a core set of genes that exhibit conserved expression changes between B. ramosi and the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), and presumably their common ancestor approximately 180 million years ago. Our study highlights the importance of developing comparative gene expression data for studies of limb regeneration among salamanders.All animals used in this work were collected under the Contract on Genetic Access for scientific research for non commercial profit (Contrato de acceso a recursos genéticos para la investigación científica sin interés commercial) to Resources number 118–2015.