Understanding how lizards shed and regrow their tails could lead to muscle and nerve regeneration in humans, say scientists.

Researchers have identified a genetic programme that triggers new tissue growth after a lizard sacrifices its tail to escape a predator.

Cutting-edge gene sequencing technology was used to study the process in the green anole lizard, Anolis carolinensis.

US lead scientist Kenro Kusumi from Arizona State University said: “Lizards basically share the same toolbox of genes as humans. Lizards are the most closely-related animals to humans that can regenerate entire appendages. We discovered that they turn on at least 326 genes in specific regions of the regenerating tail, including genes involved in embryonic development, response to hormonal signals and wound healing.”

A number of other animals, including salamanders, tadpoles and fish, can also regenerate tails − and sometimes limbs. All employ what is known as the ‘Wnt pathway’, which provides the molecular signals needed to control stem cells in many tissues including the brain, hair follicles and blood vessels.

But lizards were found to have a unique pattern of tissue growth that is distributed throughout the tail.

“Regeneration is not an instant process,” said co-author Elizabeth Hutchins, also from Arizona State University. “In fact, it takes lizards more than 60 days to regenerate a functional tail. Lizards form a complex regenerating structure with cells growing into tissues at a number of sites along the tail. Using next-generation technologies to sequence all the genes expressed during regeneration, we have unlocked the mystery of what genes are needed to regrow the lizard tail. “

By following the genetic recipe for regeneration that is found in lizards, and then harnessing those same genes in human cells, it may be possible to regrow new cartilage, muscle or even spinal cord in the future.” The research is published in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE.