Enhanced RNA quality control maintains long-term regenerative ability in planarians.

ABSTRACT: Planarians have proficient regenerative abilities that persist undiminished throughout adulthood, mediated by their stem cells (neoblasts). It is unclear how planarians accomplish this, as most animals show age-related declines in health and regeneration. Neoblasts express the conserved RNA regulatory PIWI protein SMEDWI-1, homologs of which are found in germ cells and long-lived cells in other systems. We previously found that loss of SMEDWI-1 from the neoblasts results in accumulation of non-coding and aberrant RNAs. Here, we report that, over time, SMEDWI-1-depleted animals develop defects in wound repair and regeneration, alterations in secreted proteins, and increased intracellular protein aggregation. Our data indicate that these defects result from misassembly of the signal recognit

SUBMITTER: Zelko M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12579931 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature