ABSTRACT
Many species of echinoderms are capable of extensive regeneration either after autotomy, fission or injury. By immunocyto-chemistry with antisera to the recently isolated echinoderm neuropeptide, growth factors, neurotransmitters, extracellular matrix proteins and the thymidine analogue bromodeoxyuridine, nervous regeneration in the starfish Asterias rubens has been investigated. Preliminary work with neurons in culture has examined the role of ECM, putative soluble growth factors, neurotransmitters and peptides during regeneration in vitro and is helping to ascertain the molecular basis of the process. Using an antibody raised to an ECM protein from neural ganglion extract of the ascidian, Ciona intestinalis increased staining of an ECM-like material in the neuropile has been observed during regeneration suggesting it could be involved at the level of extending nerve fibres.
