Pteridine and Riboflavin Patterns During Tail Regeneration in Triturus Species and the Effects of Chloramphenicol, Isoxanthopterin and Reserpine

Abstract

In Triturus cristatus amputation causes the reappearance of larval tetrahydrobiopterin, thus raising the ratios tetrahydrobiopterin/isoxanthopterin and tetrahydrobiopterin/riboflavin from zero to values between 3-5. This increase first occurs in the remaining skin and in the eyes. The increase of both ratios in the regeneration bud, beginning with the 20th day after amputation, coincides with their drop in both other tissues. Chloramphenicol and isoxanthopterin both strongly inhibit the formation of a regeneration bud. They also block the increase of both ratios in the remaining skin and in the rudimental regenerate as well. Reserpine induces regenerative ability in Triturus vulgaris, which normally lacks this. It has a strong melanizing effect and, moreover, it causes an increase of both ratios in the regeneration bud and in the remaining skin.