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Updated: Jul 27, 2025

Cultivation of the Marine Pelagic Tunicate Dolioletta gegenbauri Uljanin 1884 for Experimental Studies
Published on: August 9, 2019
Development of irradiated tunicate buds: Is cell division cycle required for morphallaxis?
Kazuo Kawamura1, Koichi Hashimoto1, Mitsuaki Nakauchi1
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kochi University, Akebono-cho, Kochi 780, Japan.
Cell division is essential for transdifferentiation in tunicates (Polyandrocarpa misakiensis). Even when cells stop dividing due to irradiation, they can still participate in development, suggesting communication between dividing and non-dividing cells.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Transdifferentiation is a key process in morphallactic bud development in tunicates.
- The multipotent atrial epithelium is crucial for this developmental process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cell division in transdifferentiation of the atrial epithelium in Polyandrocarpa misakiensis.
- To understand the relationship between cell cycling, DNA replication, and organogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Irradiation (10-80 Gy) and aphidicolin treatment to inhibit cell division.
- Juxtaposition of irradiated and unirradiated bud pieces.
- Analysis of organ placode formation and cell morphology.
Main Results:
- Irradiation and aphidicolin severely blocked transdifferentiation, leading to dedifferentiation without cell cycling.
- Irradiated cells, though non-dividing, could participate in organogenesis when juxtaposed with dividing cells.
- Organogenesis resumed in irradiated buds upon restoration of mitotic activity.
Conclusions:
- Cell division, likely including DNA replication, is indispensable for atrial epithelium transdifferentiation in P. misakiensis.
- Not all cells in the organ rudiment require cell cycling for development.
- Homoiogenetic induction may occur between dividing and non-dividing cells during development.
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