Xenopus laevis (Daudin, 1802) as a Model Organism for Bioscience: A Historic Review and Perspective

In vitro systems have been mainly promoted by authorities to sustain research by following the 3Rs principle, but continuously increasing amounts of evidence point out that in vivo experimentation is also of extreme relevance. , an anuran amphibian, is a significant model organism in the study of ev...

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Published in:Biology (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2023-06, Vol.12 (6), p.890
Main Authors: Carotenuto, Rosa, Pallotta, Maria Michela, Tussellino, Margherita, Fogliano, Chiara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal models
biological mechanisms
Cytoskeleton
Developmental biology
Embryogenesis
Embryos
Endocrinology
Ethology
Gametes
Gametogenesis
Gene expression
Genomes
Historical account
In vitro fertilization
Laboratories
Life cycles
Medical research
Metamorphosis
model organism
Nervous system
Pollutants
Proteins
Reptiles & amphibians
Review
Reviews
Toxicology
Vertebrates
Xenopus laevis
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Summary:In vitro systems have been mainly promoted by authorities to sustain research by following the 3Rs principle, but continuously increasing amounts of evidence point out that in vivo experimentation is also of extreme relevance. , an anuran amphibian, is a significant model organism in the study of evolutionary developmental biology, toxicology, ethology, neurobiology, endocrinology, immunology and tumor biology; thanks to the recent development of genome editing, it has also acquired a relevant position in the field of genetics. For these reasons, appears to be a powerful and alternative model to the zebrafish for environmental and biomedical studies. Its life cycle, as well as the possibility to obtain gametes from adults during the whole year and embryos by in vitro fertilization, allows experimental studies of several biological endpoints, such as gametogenesis, embryogenesis, larval growth, metamorphosis and, of course, the young and adult stages. Moreover, with respect to alternative invertebrate and even vertebrate animal models, the genome displays a higher degree of similarity with that of mammals. Here, we have reviewed the main available literature on the use of in the biosciences and, inspired by Feymann's revised view, "Plenty of room for biology at the bottom", suggest that is a very useful model for all possible studies.
ISSN:2079-7737
2079-7737
DOI:10.3390/biology12060890