Figure 1

BMP signalling is required for lens regeneration. A) Lentectomy of N1 transgenic tadpoles at stage 50. These tadpoles carry the Hsp70:Noggin; γ-Crystallin:GFP transgene and express GFP in the central lens cells, but not the outermost lens epithelial cells. Removal of the lens can be visualised by the lack of GFP in the lentectomised eye. B) Heat shock initiates expression of the BMP inhibitor noggin, attenuating BMP signalling. In around 60-70% of non heat shocked, lentectomised eyes, regeneration of the lens from the overlying cornea occurs and GFP can be seen after 3-5 days and a new lens is formed after 14 days. When the tadpoles are subjected to heat shock, no GFP is expressed and no lens regenerated. Bright field views are to the left with corresponding fluorescent views adjacent. C) Graph showing the effect of heat shock activation of Noggin on lens regeneration as determined by the presence of any detectable GFP in the eye 10 days after lentectomy. ** indicates p < 0.001. (Chi squared analysis).