Oxidative phosphorylation is required for fish heart regeneration

Abstract

Oxidative phosphorylation was considered detrimental for heart regeneration, as it produces reactive oxygen species that block cardiomyocyte proliferation by causing DNA damage. However, harnessing natural variation in the regenerative capacity of seven wild-type zebrafish strains has revealed that the activation of oxidative metabolism after proliferation is essential for cardiomyocyte maturation and successful regeneration.