Denervation effects on newt limb regeneration: DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis

Denervation of the regenerating limbs of adult newts results in a time-dependent loss in the capacity to incorporate radioactive precursors of RNA, DNA, and protein in the regenerating tissues, but not in neighboring nonregenerative tissue. The capacity to incorporate radioactive uridine decreases within 7 hours after denervation, whereas thymidine and leucine incorporation are not affected until 24 hours after denervation. The decrease in synthetic capacity of regenerating tissue can be reproduced in in vitro organ culture. It is suggested that the nerve may exert a direct control over the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and protein in regenerating tissues.