From <em>Hydra </em>to Humans: Head Activator Peptide in Neurogenesis and Neurorepair
Discuss this preprint
Start a discussion What are Sciety discussions?Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
Hydra vulgaris, an ancient cnidarian, exhibits extraordinary regenerative and neurogenic abilities mediated by morphogenetic peptides, particularly the head activator. This neuropeptide regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and nerve net maintenance in Hydra, and surprisingly, exserts similar mitogenic and neurogenic effects in mammalian systems. Despite early enthusiasm, research on the head activator waned due to controversies about its gene of origin and receptor identity. Experimental evidence implicates the sortilin-related receptor (SorLA) as a primary receptor in mammals, with potential modulatory roles for the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR37. This review consolidates the head activator’s evolutionary, molecular, and functional landscape, highlighting its pleiotropic functions across species. Given its neuroprotective, regenerative, and immunomodulatory properties, the head activator warrants reconsideration as a therapeutic candidate for neurodegenerative disorders and regenerative medicine.