Comparison of the relative telomere length in the skin, muscle, and spinal cord of the crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)

Abstract

Abstract Studies to date have shown that the length of telomere, which changes with the age of an animal, can vary depending on the tissues tested, even within a single organism. Additionally, their length can be influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. The aim of this study was to determine the relative length of the telomeres in the muscle, skin and spinal cord derived from the tail of Correlophus ciliatus. The analysis was performed by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) using DNA isolated from the appropriate tissues of seven animals as a template. tail rejection. Statistical analysis of the combined results obtained for all subjects showed significant differences in the relative telomere length between muscle, skin, and spinal cord (P > 0.01). In addition, an individual analysis was performed for all subjects, which showed that only in some subjects the muscle and skin telomere lengths differ significantly, while the muscle and spinal cord telomere lengths are always statistically different (P > 0.01). The obtained results may be related to the different activity of telomerase in individual tissues and the fragmentary regrowth of the tail in the form of the so-called stump. There is then a slight increase in muscle mass and skin at the site of the thrown tail, but the spinal cord is not restored. However, no direct influence of growth parameters on the length of the studied telomeres was demonstrated.