Expression of Piwi , MMP , TIMP , and Sox during Gut Regeneration in Holothurian Eupentacta fraudatrix (Holothuroidea, Dendrochirotida)

Mesodermal cells of holothurian can transdifferentiate into enterocytes during the regeneration of the digestive system. In this study, we investigated the expression of several genes involved in gut regeneration in Moreover, the localization of progenitor cells of coelomocytes, juvenile cells, and their participation in the formation of the luminal epithelium of the digestive tube were studied. It was shown that Piwi-positive cells were not involved in the formation of the luminal epithelium of the digestive tube. and had an individual expression profile and possibly different functions. The gene exhibited the highest expression and indicates its potential role in regeneration. and in may participate in the mechanism of transdifferentiation of coelomic epithelial cells. Their transcripts mark the cells that plunge into the connective tissue of the gut anlage and give rise to enterocytes. probably controls the switching of mesodermal cells to the enterocyte phenotype, while may be involved in the regulation of the initial stages of transdifferentiation.