Zebrafish have the unique ability to regenerate heart muscle cells after damage.
Their hearts can fully restore function within 60 days.
The Hmga1 protein is central to zebrafish heart regeneration.
This protein plays a role in activating dormant genes necessary for repair.
Chromatin Remodeling:
Chromatin, which packages DNA, can block gene activation when tightly packed.
Hmga1 removes molecular roadblocks on chromatin, allowing it to unpack and re-enable gene activity.
Hmga1 facilitates the reactivation of genes needed for heart muscle cell growth and repair.
The Hmga1 gene exists in humans and mice and is active during embryonic development when cells undergo rapid growth.
However, in adult humans and mice The Hmga1 gene is turned off after embryonic development.
It remains inactive even after a heart attack, preventing regeneration.
Understanding the role of Hmga1 in zebrafish could lead to breakthroughs in promoting heart regeneration in humans by potentially reactivating dormant regenerative pathways.
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