Possible role of beta-glucuronidase in the normal and regenerating tail of the house lizard, Hemidactylus flaviviridis.

Histochemical demonstration of beta-glucuronidase was carried out in the normal and regenerating tail of the house lizard, Hemidactylus flaviviridis. Greater enzyme activity was particularly discernible in the stratum germinativum of the skin of the normal and fully regenerated tail. During regeneration most of the cellular elements of the blastema and the differentiating regenerate exhibited enzyme activity. Distribution of the enzyme beta-glucuronidase is correlated with the high degree of cellular proliferation. The role of the enzyme in the catabolism of mucopolysaccharides is also implicated during the wound-healing phase. In the full-grown regenerate the intensity and distribution of the enzyme activity were found to be the same as those observed in the normal tail.