Injury-induced electrochemical coupling triggers organ growth.

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Jinghui Liu - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Clusters of Excellence PoL: Physics of Life, Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Center for Systems Biology Dresden (CSBD) (Author)
  • Elisa Nerli - , Clusters of Excellence PoL: Physics of Life, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)
  • Charlie Duclut - , Sorbonne Université (Author)
  • Amit S Vishen - , Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (Author)
  • Naomi F.M. Berbee - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Clusters of Excellence PoL: Physics of Life (Author)
  • Sylvia Kaufmann - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Clusters of Excellence PoL: Physics of Life (Author)
  • Cesar Antonio Ponce - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Clusters of Excellence PoL: Physics of Life (Author)
  • Aristides B. Arrenberg - , University of Freiburg (Author)
  • Frank Jülicher - , Clusters of Excellence PoL: Physics of Life, Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Center for Systems Biology Dresden (CSBD) (Author)
  • Rita Mateus - , Tissue Organization and Dynamics (with MPI-CBG) (Junior Research Group), Clusters of Excellence PoL: Physics of Life, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)

Abstract

Organ injury triggers nonneuronal electric currents essential for regeneration. However, the mechanisms by which electrical signals are generated, sensed, and transmitted upon damage to promote organ growth remain unclear. Here, we uncover that organ repair relies on dynamic electrochemical coupling between membrane po tential depolarization and intracellular signaling, essential to activate cell proliferation. By subsecond live imag ing of locally injured zebrafish larval fins, we identify events across time and space: a millisecond, long-range, membrane depolarization gradient, followed by second-persistent intracellular calcium responses. In the subse quent hour, voltage sensing phosphatase senses the injury-driven membrane potential change and autonomous ly translates the electric signal intracellularly, promoting tissue-wide cell proliferation. Connecting these dynamics with an electrodiffusive model showed that ionic fluxes and electric potential become coupled in the fin’s intersti tial space, enabling organ-wide signal spreading. Our work reveals the coupling between fast electrical signals and slower intracellular signaling, ensuring complete organ recovery.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages18
JournalScience advances
Volume12
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 4 Feb 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords