Mutation of the GDP-Fucose Biosynthesis Gene GMDS Increases Hair Cell Number and Neuromast Regenerative Capacity in Zebrafish

The study explores the impact of mutating the GDP-fucose biosynthesis gene gmds in zebrafish, finding that gmds−/− mutants have increased hair cell numbers and enhanced neuromast regenerative capacity after damage. These mutants regenerate hair cells more rapidly than wild-type siblings, achieving complete regeneration by 48 hours post-ablation. The mutation affects fucosylation, potentially interacting with Notch, Wnt, and FGF signaling pathways, although it is lethal by 10 days post-fertilization. The findings suggest that targeting GDP-fucose biosynthesis could enhance hair cell regeneration, offering insights for potential treatments for hearing loss in humans. The study involved multiple experiments with sample sizes ranging from 5 to 31.