Multi-stage single-cell atlas of a chordate non-embryonic development unveils dedifferentiating bud founder cells
Abstract
Colonial tunicates are the only chordates capable of forming fully functional bodies from somatic tissues through non-embryonic development, or budding. In Botryllus schlosseri , budding produces new individuals (zooids) from a portion of the peribranchial epithelium of a preexisting zooid. While the anatomy of this process has been described in detail, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning bud initiation remain elusive. Here, we present a multi-stage single-cell transcriptomic atlas of a non-embryonic development in a chordate, capturing initiation and development of zooids. We identify an epithelial founder cell population that gains developmental potential through possible dedifferentiation, challenging the long-standing hypothesis that a long-lived, circulating pluripotent stem cell drives new zooid formation. Although some circulating cells exhibit stem-like expression profiles, these populations are either hematopoietic or germline restricted lineages. This atlas provides a foundational resource for understanding the cellular origin and mechanisms underlying agametic development and possibly whole-body regeneration in chordates.
Related
- A blood–CSF barrier function controls embryonic CSF protein composition and homeostasis during early CNS development
- NANOG is dispensable for hypoblast but essential for embryonic disc development during conceptus elongation in sheep
- Oocyte-stored Mif promotes preimplantation development as an embryonic extracellular signal
- Large variability of preincubation storage temperature in chukar partridge eggs under normal storage duration: Impact on egg and hatching traits, and embryonic development
- Comparative effects of deoxynivalenol and deepoxy-deoxynivalenol on porcine oocyte maturation and embryonic development, and the partial protective role of resveratrol.
BibTeX
@article{lebel2026multistage,
title = {{Multi-stage single-cell atlas of a chordate non-embryonic development unveils dedifferentiating bud founder cells}},
author = {Marie Lebel and Solène Marchal and Tiphaine Sancerni and Sharon Rabiteau and Pragati Sharma and Tal Scully and Estelle Balissat and Laurel Hiebert and Anthony de Tomaso and Allon Klein and Alexandre Alié and Stefano Tiozzo},
journal = {Nature Communications},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-76441-3},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05783956v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Multi-stage single-cell atlas of a chordate non-embryonic development unveils dedifferentiating bud founder cells
AU - Marie Lebel
AU - Solène Marchal
AU - Tiphaine Sancerni
AU - Sharon Rabiteau
AU - Pragati Sharma
AU - Tal Scully
AU - Estelle Balissat
AU - Laurel Hiebert
AU - Anthony de Tomaso
AU - Allon Klein
AU - Alexandre Alié
AU - Stefano Tiozzo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/03
JO - Nature Communications
DO - 10.1038/s41467-026-76441-3
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05783956v1
AB - Colonial tunicates are the only chordates capable of forming fully functional bodies from somatic tissues through non-embryonic development, or budding. In Botryllus schlosseri , budding produces new individuals (zooids) from a portion of the peribranchial epithelium of a preexisting zooid. While the anatomy of this process has been described in detail, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning bud initiation remain elusive. Here, we present a multi-stage single-cell transcriptomic atlas of a non-embryonic development in a chordate, capturing initiation and development of zooids. We identify an epithelial founder cell population that gains developmental potential through possible dedifferentiation, challenging the long-standing hypothesis that a long-lived, circulating pluripotent stem cell drives new zooid formation. Although some circulating cells exhibit stem-like expression profiles, these populations are either hematopoietic or germline restricted lineages. This atlas provides a foundational resource for understanding the cellular origin and mechanisms underlying agametic development and possibly whole-body regeneration in chordates.
SN - 2041-1723
SN - 2041-1723
ER -