Amphioxus makes the cut-again

The cephalochordate amphioxus is now established as an important model system for understanding the evolution of vertebrate novelties from an invertebrate chordate ancestor. It is also emerging as a serious candidate for studies of organ regeneration. We extend here our previous observations on the European amphioxus´ extensive adult regenerative capacity. The expression of Wnt5 and the presence of β-catenin protein in the early bud-stage blastema support a role for Wnt signaling during tail regeneration in amphioxus. We also present data showing that Branchiostoma lanceolatum continues to regenerate well after repeated amputation of the post-anal tail. These results are discussed in relation to vertebrate regeneration and other stem cell systems, and in the context of regeneration decline with aging.