Computational discovery of DNA motifs associated with cell type-specific gene expression in Ciona

Temporally and spatially co-expressed genes are expected to be regulated by common transcription factors and therefore to share cis-regulatory elements. In the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, the whole-genome sequences and genome-scale gene expression profiles allow the use of computational techniques to investigate cis-elements that control transcription. We collected 5' flanking sequences of 50 tissue-specific genes from genome databases of C. intestinalis and a closely related species Ciona savignyi. We searched for DNA motifs over-represented in upstream regions of a group of co-expressed genes. Several motifs were distributed predominantly in upstream regions of photoreceptor, pan-neuronal, or muscle-specific gene groups. One muscle-specific motif, M2, was distributed preferentially in regions from -200 to -100 bp relative to the translational start sites. Promoters of muscle-specific genes of C. intestinalis were isolated, connected with a green fluorescent protein gene (GFP), and introduced into C. intestinalis embryos. In muscle cells, these promoters specifically drove GFP expression, which mutations of the M2 sites greatly reduced. When M2 sites were located upstream of a basal promoter, the reporter GFP was specifically expressed in muscle cells. These results suggest the validity of our computational prediction of cis-regulatory elements. Thus, bioinformatics can help identify cis-regulatory elements involved in chordate development.

Identification of downstream genes of the ascidian muscle determinant gene Ci-macho1

Autonomous differentiation of primary muscle cells in ascidian embryos is triggered by a maternal determinant recently identified as the macho-1 gene. macho-1 encodes a transcription factor of the Zic family with five C2H2 zinc-finger motifs. In the present study, we firstly performed a screen, using a quantitative PCR method, of genes encoding transcription factors and components in major signaling pathways to identify those regulated downstream of Ci-macho1 in early embryos of Ciona intestinalis. The amount of transcripts for a total of 64 genes was altered at the 32-cell stage depending on the Ci-macho1 activity level. Whole-mount in situ hybridization assays revealed that the alteration of expression for at least 13 of them was adequately visualized to confirm the results of quantitative PCR. Second, we determined a possible binding sequence of Ciona macho1. macho1 recombinant proteins of both C. intestinalis and Ciona savignyi recognized a sequence, 5'-GCCCCCCGCTG-3', that resembles the mammalian Zic binding site. In addition, most of the genes identified as potential Ci-macho1 downstream genes, in particular Ci-Tbx6b and Ci-snail, possessed plausible Ci-macho1-binding sequences in their 5' upstream region, suggesting their direct activation by Ci-macho1. Furthermore, some of the genes including three Wnt genes noted in the quantitative analyses implied that Ci-macho1 is involved in the differentiation of endoderm and mesenchyme via intracellular communications.

Structure of a cDNA for Ciona Cytochrome b(5) and the ubiquitous expression of mRNA in embryonic tissues

A cDNA clone for cytochrome b(5) was isolated from a cDNA library of an ascidian, Ciona savignyi, by a plaque hybridization method using a digoxigenin-labeled cDNA for the soluble form of human cytochrome b(5). The cDNA is composed of 5'- and 3'-noncoding sequences, and a 396-base pair coding sequence. The 3'-noncoding sequence contains polyadenylation signal sequences. The amino acid sequence of 132 residues deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA showed 61% identity and 82% similarity to the cytochrome b(5) of another ascidian species, Polyandrocarpa misakiensis, which we previously cloned. The amino-terminal hydrophilic domain of 98 residues contains well-conserved structures around two histidine residues for heme binding. A cDNA expression system was constructed to prepare a putative soluble form of Ciona cytochrome b(5). The recombinant soluble cytochrome b(5) showed an asymmetrical absorption spectrum at 560 nm as is shown by mammalian cytochromes b(5) upon reduction with NADH and NADH-cytochrome b(5) reductase. The recombinant Ciona cytochrome b(5) is reduced by NADH-cytochrome b(5) reductase with an apparent K(m) value of 3.3 microM. This value is similar to that of the cytochrome b(5) of Polyandrocarpa misakiensis. The expression of Ciona cytochrome b(5) mRNA during development was examined by an in situ hybridization method and ubiquitous expression in embryonic tissues was observed. The results indicate that cytochrome b(5) plays important roles in various metabolic processes during development.

Ci-POU-IV expression identifies PNS neurons in embryos and larvae of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis

Several lines of evidence suggest that members of the POU domain gene family may regulate invertebrate and vertebrate neurogenesis. In particular, POU IV genes appear to be neural genes involved in differentiation of sensory neurons, as demonstrated in mollusc, Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans and vertebrates. In the present work, we describe the developmental expression of a homologue of POU IV genes, Ci-POU-IV, in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Ci-POU-IV is expressed in the precursor cells of the neural system during development and in the neural system of the larva. In particular, transcripts are prevalent in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), with expression in the central nervous system (CNS) restricted to the posterior sensory vesicle. Therefore, the evolution of a complex sensory system seems to be under the control of a common genetic mechanism.

Three distinct lineages of mesenchymal cells in Ciona intestinalis embryos demonstrated by specific gene expression

The ascidian embryonic mesenchyme, comprising about 900 cells, forms mesodermal tissues or organs of the adult body after metamorphosis. The mesenchyme originates from the A7.6 [trunk lateral cells (TLCs)], B7.7, and B8.5 blastomeres of the 110-cell stage embryo. Previous studies showed that FGF9/16/20 is required for specification of the mesenchyme in Ciona embryos and that two different (A7.6 and B8.5/B7.7) but partially overlapping molecular mechanisms are associated with the expression of a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor gene, Twist-like1, in the mesenchymal precursors, which triggers the differentiation process of mesenchyme cells. In the present study, we examined whether the three embryonic lineages express the same mesenchyme-specific structural genes under the control of a common mechanism or whether the three lineages are characterized by the expression of genes specific to each of the lineages. We characterized nine mesenchyme-specific genes in Ciona embryos and found that five were expressed in A7.6/B8.5/B7.7, two in B8.5/B7.7, and two in B7.7 only. FGF9/16/20 and Twist-like1 were required for the expression of all the mesenchyme-specific genes, except for three A7.6/B8.5/B7.7-specific genes in A7.6 progenitors. Overexpression of FGF9/16/20 or Twist-like1 upregulated the expression of A7.6/B8.5/B7.7- and B8.5/B7.7-specific genes, while it downregulated the expression of B7.7-specific genes. These results provide evidence that the differentiation of each of the three mesenchyme lineages of Ciona embryos is characterized by the expression of a specific set of genes, whose expression is controlled differentially.

The neurobiology of the ascidian tadpole larva: recent developments in an ancient chordate

With little more than 330 cells, two thirds within the sensory vesicle, the CNS of the tadpole larva of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis provides us with a chordate nervous system in miniature. Neurulation, neurogenesis and its genetic bases, as well as the gene expression territories of this tiny constituency of cells all follow a chordate plan, giving rise in some cases to frank structural homologies with the vertebrate brain. Recent advances are fueled by the release of the genome and EST expression databases and by the development of methods to transfect embryos by electroporation. Immediate prospects to test the function of neural genes are based on the isolation of mutants by classical genetics and insertional mutagenesis, as well as by the disruption of gene function by morpholino antisense oligo-nucleotides. Coupled with high-speed video analysis of larval swimming, optophysiological methods offer the prospect to analyze at single-cell level the function of a CNS built on a vertebrate plan.

The central nervous system of the ascidian larva: mitotic history of cells forming the neural tube in late embryonic Ciona intestinalis

Ascidian larvae develop after an invariant pattern of embryonic cleavage. Fewer than 400 cells constitute the larval central nervous system (CNS), which forms without either extensive migration or cell death. We catalogue the mitotic history of these cells in Ciona intestinalis, using confocal microscopy of whole-mount embryos at stages from neurulation until hatching. The positions of cells contributing to the CNS were reconstructed from confocal image stacks of embryonic nuclei, and maps of successive stages were used to chart the mitotic descent, thereby creating a cell lineage for each cell. The entire CNS is formed from 10th- to 14th-generation cells. Although minor differences exist in cell position, lineage is invariant in cells derived from A-line blastomeres, which form the caudal nerve cord and visceral ganglion. We document the lineage of five pairs of presumed motor neurons within the visceral ganglion: one pair arises from A/A 10.57, and four from progeny of A/A 9.30. The remaining cells of the visceral ganglion are in their 13th and 14th generations at hatching, with most mitotic activity ceasing around 85% of embryonic development. Of the approximately 330 larval cells previously reported in the CNS of Ciona, we document the lineage of 226 that derive predominantly from A-line blastomeres.

CiYB1 is a major component of storage mRNPs in ascidian oocytes: implications in translational regulation of localized mRNAs

In ascidian eggs, the existence of several localized maternal cytoplasmic determinants has been proposed and the importance of localized mRNAs for tissue differentiation has been demonstrated. We previously identified the ascidian Y-box proteins (CiYB1, 2 and 3), homologues of which are known to be involved in the storage of maternal mRNA in oocytes of other organisms. In this study, we found that CiYB1 protein is abundant in the gonad, egg, and embryo. Purification of messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) particles from the gonad revealed that CiYB1 was one of their major components. A significant change in the distribution of CiYB1 protein from stored mRNP particles in the gonad to the ribosome fraction in eggs and embryos was observed. This change correlates most likely with the shift of stored maternal mRNAs to polyribosomes. Moreover, we found that CiYB1 colocalized with Cipem and Ci-macho1 mRNAs, which are localized at the posterior end of the embryo at the cleavage stage. Cipem and Ci-macho1 mRNAs were co-immunoprecipitated with CiYB1 in the oocyte and embryo lysates. The formation of a complex between Cipem mRNA and CiYB1 protein resulted in translational repression in the in vitro translation system. Our results indicate that associating with CiYB1 protein contributes to the translational control of the localized mRNA in eggs and embryos.

Gene expression profiles of transcription factors and signaling molecules in the ascidian embryo: towards a comprehensive understanding of gene networks

Achieving a real understanding of animal development obviously requires a comprehensive rather than partial identification of the genes working in each developmental process. Recent decoding of genome sequences will enable us to perform such studies. An ascidian, Ciona intestinalis, one of the animals whose genome has been sequenced, is a chordate sharing a basic body plan with vertebrates, although its genome contains less paralogs than are usually seen in vertebrates. In the present study, we discuss the genomewide approach to networks of developmental genes in Ciona embryos. We focus on transcription factor genes and some major groups of signal transduction genes. These genes are comprehensively listed and examined with regard to their embryonic expression by in situ hybridization (http://ghost.zool.kyoto-u.ac.jp/tfst.html). The results revealed that 74% of the transcription factor genes are expressed maternally and that 56% of the genes are zygotically expressed during embryogenesis. Of these, 34% of the transcription factor genes are expressed both maternally and zygotically. The number of zygotically expressed transcription factor genes increases gradually during embryogenesis. As an example, and taking advantage of this comprehensive description of gene expression profiles, we identified transcription factor genes and signal transduction genes that are expressed at the early gastrula stage and that work downstream of beta-catenin, FoxD and/or Fgf9/16/20. Because these three genes are essential for ascidian endomesoderm specification, transcription factor genes and signal transduction genes involved in each of the downstream processes can be deduced comprehensively using the present approach.

Amphioxus and ascidian Dmbx homeobox genes give clues to the vertebrate origins of midbrain development

The ancestral chordate neural tube had a tripartite structure, comprising anterior, midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB) and posterior regions. The most anterior region encompasses both forebrain and midbrain in vertebrates. It is not clear when or how the distinction between these two functionally and developmentally distinct regions arose in evolution. Recently, we reported a mouse PRD-class homeobox gene, Dmbx1, expressed in the presumptive midbrain at early developmental stages, and the hindbrain at later stages,with exclusion from the MHB. This gene provides a route to investigate the evolution of midbrain development. We report the cloning, genomic structure,phylogeny and embryonic expression of Dmbx genes from amphioxus and from Ciona, representing the two most closely related lineages to the vertebrates. Our analyses show that Dmbx genes form a distinct, ancient,homeobox gene family, with highly conserved sequence and genomic organisation,albeit more divergent in Ciona. In amphioxus, no Dmbx expression is observed in the neural tube, supporting previous arguments that the MHB equivalent region has been secondarily modified in evolution. In Ciona, the CiDmbx gene is detected in neural cells caudal to Pax2/5/8-positive cells (MHB homologue), in the Hox-positive region, but,interestingly, not in any cells rostral to them. These results suggest that a midbrain homologue is missing in Ciona, and argue that midbrain development is a novelty that evolved specifically on the vertebrate lineage. We discuss the evolution of midbrain development in relation to the ancestry of the tripartite neural ground plan and the origin of the MHB organiser.

A zinc finger transcription factor, ZicL, is a direct activator of Brachyury in the notochord specification of Ciona intestinalis

In ascidian embryos, Brachyury is expressed exclusively in blastomeres of the notochord lineage and play an essential role in the notochord cell differentiation. The genetic cascade leading to the transcriptional activation of Brachyury in A-line notochord cells of Ciona embryos begins with maternally provided beta-catenin, which is essential for endodermal cell specification. beta-catenin directly activates zygotic expression of a forkhead transcription factor gene, FoxD, at the 16-cell stage, which in turn somehow activates a zinc finger transcription factor gene, ZicL, at the 32-cell stage, and then Brachyury at the 64-cell stage. One of the key questions to be answered is whether ZicL functions as a direct activator of Brachyury transcription, and this was addressed in the present study. A fusion protein was constructed in which a zinc finger domain of Ciona ZicL was connected to the C-terminus of GST. Extensive series of PCR-assisted binding site selection assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that the most plausible recognition sequence of Ciona ZicL was CCCGCTGTG. We found the elements CACAGCTGG (complementary sequence: CCAGCTGTG) at -123 and CCAGCTGTG at -168 bp upstream of the putative transcription start site of Ci-Bra in a previously identified basal enhancer of this gene. In vitro binding assays indicated that the ZicL fusion protein binds to these elements efficiently. A fusion gene construct in which lacZ was fused with the upstream sequence of Ci-Bra showed the reporter gene expression exclusively in notochord cells when the construct was introduced into fertilized eggs. In contrast, fusion constructs with mutated ZicL-binding-elements failed to show the reporter expression. In addition, suppression of Ci-ZicL abolished the reporter gene expression, while ectopic and/or overexpression of Ci-ZicL resulted in ectopic reporter expression in non-notochord cells. These results provide evidence that ZicL directly activates Brachyury, leading to specification and subsequent differentiation of notochord cells.

Regulatory elements controlling Ci-msxb tissue-specific expression during Ciona intestinalis embryonic development

The msh/Msx family is a subclass of homeobox-containing genes suggested to perform a conserved function in the patterning of the early embryo. We had already isolated a member of this gene family (Ci-msxb) in Ciona intestinalis, which has a very complex expression pattern during embryogenesis. To identify the regulatory elements controlling its tissue-specific expression, we have characterized the gene structure and the regulatory upstream region. By electroporation experiments, we demonstrated that a 3.8-kb region located upstream of the gene contains all the regulatory elements able to reproduce its spatial expression pattern. Analyzing progressively truncated fragments of this region, three discrete and separate regions driving LacZ reporter gene expression in the ventral epidermis, primordial pharynx and neural territories have been identified. We further investigated the element(s) necessary for Ci-msxb activation in the nervous system during embryonic development by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Both electroporation and gel-shift assays of overlapping wild type and mutated oligonucleotides demonstrated that a unique sequence of 30 bp is involved in Ci-msxb neural activation from neurula to larva stage. This sequence contains consensus binding sites for various ubiquitous transcription factors such as TCF11 whose possible implication in formation of the regulatory complexes is discussed.

The evolutionary origin of animal cellulose synthase

Urochordates are the only animals that produce cellulose, a polysaccharide existing primarily in the extracellular matrices of plant, algal, and bacterial cells. Here we report a Ciona intestinalis homolog of cellulose synthase, which is the core catalytic subunit of multi-enzyme complexes where cellulose biosynthesis occurs. The Ciona cellulose synthase gene, Ci-CesA, is a fusion of a cellulose synthase domain and a cellulase (cellulose-hydrolyzing enzyme) domain. Both the domains have no animal homologs in public databases. Exploiting this fusion of atypical genes, we provided evidence of a likely lateral transfer of a bacterial cellulose synthase gene into the urochordate lineage. According to fossil records, this likely lateral acquisition of the cellulose synthase gene may have occurred in the last common ancestor of extant urochordates more than 530 million years ago. Whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis revealed the expression of Ci-CesA in C. intestinalis embryos, and the expression pattern of Ci-CesA was spatiotemporally consistent with observed cellulose synthesis in vivo. We propose here that urochordates may use a laterally acquired "homologous" gene for an analogous process of cellulose synthesis.

A genome-wide survey of the genes for planar polarity signaling or convergent extension-related genes in Ciona intestinalis and phylogenetic comparisons of evolutionary conserved signaling components

Non-canonical Wnt signals similar to planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling in the fly control convergent extension (CE) of the dorsal mesoderm during gastrulation in vertebrates. Using the Ciona complete genome sequence and EST sequence data, we present here an initial and exhaustive search in non-vertebrate chordates, Ciona intestinalis for the family members as well as homologs or orthologs that are involved in PCP/CE signaling cascades. We clarified 7 cardinal gene families, including the MAPK, STE20 group kinase, Rho small GTPase, STAT, Glypican, Fz and Wnt gene families, as well as gene homologs or orthologs for known PCP/CE signaling components with their phylogenetic nature. As a result, we characterized 62 Ciona component genes. Among them, 59 genes were novel and functional genes which were supported by EST expressions and 15 genes belonged to PCP/CE component orthologs of other organisms or common ancestor genes. Moreover, from the phylogenetic point of view, we compared these components genome-widely with the PCP signaling components of fly and the CE signaling components of vertebrates. We then discovered not only that ascidians contain the basic ancestral signaling pathway components in chordates but also that several signaling components have not found in ascidian, indicating that ascidian CE pathway might have several gaps from vertebrate CE pathway. The present study provides an initial step for the subsequent analysis of CE in the non-vertebrate chordates, ascidians. In addition, this phylogenetic approach will help to facilitate understanding of the relationship between fly PCP signaling and the vertebrate CE pathway.

Morpholino-based gene knockdown screen of novel genes with developmental function inCiona intestinalis

In the present study, we conducted an extensive analysis to identify novel genes with developmental function among Ciona intestinalis genes discovered by cDNA projects. Translation of a total of 200 genes expressed during embryogenesis was suppressed by using specific morpholino antisense oligonucleotides. Suppression of the translation of any of 40 genes (one-fifth of the genes tested) was thereby shown to cause specific embryonic defects. Most of these genes have counterpart(s) in mouse and human, suggesting that the present approach will be useful for identifying candidate genes essential for the development of vertebrates. Suppression of translation of 14 of these 40 genes resulted in the `disorganized body plan' phenotype characterized by gross morphological abnormalities caused by early defects in embryogenesis. These genes encode zinc-finger, transmembrane or Pbx homeodomain proteins. The morphological features of larvae of this phenotypic class varied according to the gene suppressed, suggesting that a distinct developmental event such as tissue specification or cell cycle progression was affected in each type of larva. Suppression of the remaining 26 genes resulted in the `abnormal tail'phenotype. Some of these genes encode proteins with known functional structures such as Zn-finger and HLH motifs. Twelve genes among them are especially interesting, because their suppression produced defects in the nervous system, as demonstrated by the loss of the sensory pigment cells or palps of the adhesive organ in the knockdown larvae. These results suggest that screening for developmental genes by the reverse genetic approach in Ciona intestinalis embryos is effective for identifying novel genes with developmental functions required for the development of chordates.

Ascidian larva reveals ancient origin of vertebrate-skeletal-muscle troponin I characteristics in chordate locomotory muscle

Ascidians are protochordates related to vertebrate ancestors. The ascidian larval tail, with its notochord, dorsal nerve cord, and flanking rows of sarcomeric muscle cells, exhibits the basic chordate body plan. Molecular characterization of ascidian larval tail muscle may provide insight into molecular aspects of vertebrate skeletal muscle evolution. We report studies of the Ci-TnI gene of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, which encodes the muscle contractile regulatory protein troponin I (TnI). Previous studies of a distantly related ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi, showed that different TnI genes were expressed in larval and adult muscles, the larval TnI isoforms having an unusual C-terminal truncation not seen in any vertebrate TnI. Here we show that, in contrast with Halocynthia, Ciona does not have a specialized larval TnI; the same TnI gene that is expressed in the heart and body-wall muscle of the sessile adult is also expressed in embryonic/larval tail muscle cells. Moreover the TnI isoform produced in embryonic/larval muscle is identical to that produced in adult body-wall muscle, i.e., a 182-residue protein with the characteristic chain length and overall structure of vertebrate skeletal muscle TnI isoforms. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the unique features of Halocynthia larval TnI likely represent derived features, and hence that the vertebrate-skeletal-muscle -like TnI of Ciona is a closer reflection of the ancestral ascidian larval TnI. Our results indicate that characteristics of vertebrate skeletal muscle TnI emerged early in the evolution of chordate locomotory muscle, before the ascidian/vertebrate divergence. These features could be related to a basal chordate locomotory innovation-e.g., swimming by oscillation of an internal notochord skeleton-or they may be of even greater antiquity within the deuterostomes.

Pax gene expression in the developing central nervous system of Ciona intestinalis

We compare the expression patterns in Ciona intestinalis of three members of the Pax gene family, CiPax3/7, CiPax6 and Cipax2/5/8. All three genes are expressed in restricted patterns in the developing central nervous system. At the tailbud stage, CiPax3/7 is present in three patches in the brain and along the posterior neural tube, CiPax6 throughout the anterior brain and along the posterior neural tube and CiPax2/5/8 in a restricted region of the posterior brain. Double in situ hybridisations were used to identify areas of overlap between the expression of different genes. This showed that CiPax3/7 overlaps with the boundaries of CiPax6 expression in the anterior brain, and with CiPax2/5/8 in the posterior brain. The overlap between CiPax3/7 and CiPax2/5/8 is unlike that described in the ascidian Halocynthia rorezti.

Neural Tissue in Ascidian Embryos Is Induced by FGF9/16/20, Acting via a Combination of Maternal GATA and Ets Transcription Factors

In chordates, formation of neural tissue from ectodermal cells requires an induction. The molecular nature of the inducer remains controversial in vertebrates. Here, using the early neural marker Otx as an entry point, we dissected the neural induction pathway in the simple embryos of Ciona intestinalis. We first isolated the regulatory element driving Otx expression in the prospective neural tissue, showed that this element directly responds to FGF signaling and that FGF9/16/20 acts as an endogenous neural inducer. Binding site analysis and gene loss of function established that FGF9/16/20 induces neural tissue in the ectoderm via a synergy between two maternal response factors. Ets1/2 mediates general FGF responsiveness, while the restricted activity of GATAa targets the neural program to the ectoderm. Thus, our study identifies an endogenous FGF neural inducer and its early downstream gene cascade. It also reveals a role for GATA factors in FGF signaling.

Construction of a cDNA Microarray Derived from the Ascidian Ciona intestinalis

A cDNA microarray was constructed from a basal chordate, the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. The draft genome of Ciona has been read and inferred to contain approximately 16,000 protein-coding genes, and cDNAs for transcripts of 13,464 genes have been characterized and compiled as the "Ciona intestinalis Gene Collection Release I". In the present study, we constructed a cDNA microarray of these 13,464 Ciona genes. A preliminary experiment with Cy3- and Cy5-labeled probes showed extensive differential gene expression between fertilized eggs and larvae. In addition, there was a good correlation between results obtained by the present microarray analysis and those from previous EST analyses. This first microarray of a large collection of Ciona intestinalis cDNA clones should facilitate the analysis of global gene expression and gene networks during the embryogenesis of basal chordates.

A Twist-like bHLH gene is a downstream factor of an endogenous FGF and determines mesenchymal fate in the ascidian embryos

Ascidian larvae develop mesenchyme cells in their trunk. A fibroblast growth factor (FGF9/16/20) is essential and sufficient for induction of the mesenchyme in Ciona savignyi. We have identified two basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) genes named Twist-like1 and Twist-like2 as downstream factors of this FGF. These two genes are phylogenetically closely related to each other, and were expressed specifically in the mesenchymal cells after the 110-cell stage. Gene-knockdown experiments using a specific morpholino oligonucleotide demonstrated that Twist-like1 plays an essential role in determination of the mesenchyme and that Twist-like2 is a downstream factor of Twist-like1. In addition, both overexpression and misexpression of Twist-like1 converts non-mesenchymal cells to mesenchymal cells. We also demonstrate that the upstream regulatory mechanisms of Twist-like1 are different between B-line mesenchymal cells and the A-line mesenchymal cells called 'trunk lateral cells'. FGF9/16/20 is required for the expression of Twist-like1 in B-line mesenchymal precursor cells, whereas FGF, FoxD and another novel bHLH factor called NoTrlc are required for Twist-like1 to be expressed in the A-line mesenchymal precursor cells. Therefore, two different but partially overlapping mechanisms are required for the expression of Twist-like1 in the mesenchymal precursors, which triggers the differentiation of the mesenchyme in Ciona embryos.

An ascidian RING finger gene is specifically expressed in a single cell of larval ocellus

The ascidian nervous system is extremely simple, although the structure of it is comparable with the complex vertebrate nervous system. This simplicity makes the ascidian nervous system a good model to understand how the neuronal circuit is built up in the chordate nervous system. In order to study the formation of the neuronal circuit at the single cell level, molecular markers to characterize specific single cells are desired. In the present paper, we describe the gene expression pattern of CIGL: an ascidian homologue of Goliath, a Drosophila RING-finger gene. In the early embryonic stage, CiGl is expressed in the lateral part of the neural tube and in several peripheral nerve cells. Later in the larval stage, CiGl specifically marks ocellus: one of the pigment cells in the ascidian brain, which is involved in the photoreceptive system. CiGl will be useful to understand the differentiation mechanism of ocellus, and especially to test the model proposed by. In addition, the finding of this single cells specific gene expression pattern at a certain developmental stage encourages us to look for more genes which mark single cells, especially those that have not been well characterized.

A genomewide survey of developmentally relevant genes in Ciona intestinalis. VI. Genes for Wnt, TGFbeta, Hedgehog and JAK/STAT signaling pathways

Cell-cell interactions play important roles in a variety of developmental processes, and therefore molecules involved in the signaling pathways have been studied extensively. Recently, the draft genome sequence of the basal chordate, Ciona intestinalis, was determined. Here we annotated genes for the signaling pathways of Wnt, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), Hedgehog, and JAK/STAT in the genome of Ciona intestinalis. The Ciona genome contains ten wnt genes, six frizzled genes, four sFRP genes, ten TGFbeta family member genes, five TGFbeta-receptor genes, and five Smad genes; most of the genes were found with less redundancy than in vertebrate genomes. The other genes in the signaling pathways are present as a single copy in the Ciona genome. In addition, all of the identified genes for the signaling pathway, except for a few genes, have EST evidence, and their cDNAs are available from the Ciona intestinalis gene collection. Therefore, Ciona intestinalis may provide an experimental system for exploring the basic genetic cascade associated with the signaling pathways in chordates.