Developmental biologyPub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-11-14DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.11.004
Katerina Cihakova , Ravindra Naraine , Viktoriia Hantzsch , Roman Franek , Martin Psenicka , Radek Sindelka
{"title":"RNA redistribution driven by alterations in transcription during early embryogenesis of rainbow trout","authors":"Katerina Cihakova , Ravindra Naraine , Viktoriia Hantzsch , Roman Franek , Martin Psenicka , Radek Sindelka","doi":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.11.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.11.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In many species, the differential localization of RNAs along the animal-vegetal axis is established during oogenesis. The resulting asymmetry is essential for axis formation, germ layer patterning, and cell fate determination, especially in fish and amphibians. In recent years, research in this field has focused mainly on zebrafish, which raises the question about the conservation of localization processes across all teleost species. Although extant teleost species utilize meroblastic cleavage only, there are extreme differences in their oocyte size. These differences are fundamentally linked to each species' life history. Some have rapid embryonic development, while embryos of other species, like salmonids, take weeks to develop. This might have consequences on the spatial distribution of biomolecules during oogenesis and their relocalization during early embryogenesis. Yet, our knowledge is based on data from small-sized oocyte species with rapid development only (e.g. zebrafish). In this study, we performed a spatially resolved TOMO-seq method on early embryos of the rainbow trout, a species characterized by prolonged embryonic development and large oocytes, and compared it with zebrafish. We revealed that the maternal pre-patterned localization of transcripts can be disrupted in the early embryo by two main mechanisms: <em>de novo</em> transcription and degradation. The most prominent change can be seen in the emerging blastodisc in the animal pole, where there is a significant increase in localized transcripts. In contrast with research suggesting active relocalization of RNAs by ooplasmic streaming in zebrafish, we hypothesized that the change in RNA localization is caused by regionalized zygotic transcription in trout. Regardless of these differing mechanisms, the cross-species comparison revealed a conservation of many transcripts involved in germ cell development and cell proliferation. Moreover, using hybrid trout embryos, we were able to reveal the early onset of <em>de</em> novo transcription. Altogether, these findings indicate how species with large oocytes and prolonged development utilize unique RNA localization strategies. This knowledge expands our understanding of early development across teleost species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11070,"journal":{"name":"Developmental biology","volume":"530 ","pages":"Pages 21-37"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145534023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental biologyPub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.11.012
Ben Dillon Cox , Hailong Yang , Joshua Moore , Neha Ahuja , Kirk Amundson , Nicole Aponte-Santiago , Cagney Coomer , Yan Gong , Amy L. Herbert , Concepcion Manzano , Jesús Martínez-Gómez , James Satterlee , Siobhán M. Brady , Crystal D. Rogers
{"title":"Reprogramming our fate: a postdoctoral reflection on current challenges and prospects for developmental biology","authors":"Ben Dillon Cox , Hailong Yang , Joshua Moore , Neha Ahuja , Kirk Amundson , Nicole Aponte-Santiago , Cagney Coomer , Yan Gong , Amy L. Herbert , Concepcion Manzano , Jesús Martínez-Gómez , James Satterlee , Siobhán M. Brady , Crystal D. Rogers","doi":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.11.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.11.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Developmental biology stands at a crossroads. While some have suggested the field is in decline, we, early-career developmental biologists, see an era of renewal driven by conceptual expansion, technical innovation, and cross-disciplinary integration. In this Commentary, we reflect on discussions from a 2024 workshop of postdoctoral scholars from across North America, outlining shared challenges and opportunities that will shape the field's future. We argue that the perceived crisis in developmental biology stems not from a lack of relevance, but from a narrow definition that overlooks its broader reach, from embryogenesis to regeneration, stem cell biology, aging, and environmental responsiveness. We highlight how emerging model organisms, single-cell systems, and advances in imaging and genomics now enable comparative and mechanistic insights across the tree of life. To sustain this progress, we call for renewed investment in basic research, structural reforms to support early-career scientists, and accessible community-driven resources for emerging model systems. Finally, we emphasize the importance of public engagement, equitable mentorship, and acknowledgment of the field's complex history to foster an inclusive and resilient scientific community. Together, these efforts can reprogram the trajectory of developmental biology and secure its central place in understanding the origins and dynamics of life.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11070,"journal":{"name":"Developmental biology","volume":"530 ","pages":"Pages 132-137"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145596238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental biologyPub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-11-16DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.11.008
Sowmya Priya Manoharan , Suvathika Gnanaselvan , Suriya Prakash Ramakrishnan , Sangilimuthu Alagar Yadav , L. Srimathi Priya , Manikandan Ayyar , Lalitha Gnanasekaran , M. Santhamoorthy , S. Santhoshkumar
{"title":"Evaluation of molecular interaction studies of khellin on bovine serum albumin through various biophysical approaches","authors":"Sowmya Priya Manoharan , Suvathika Gnanaselvan , Suriya Prakash Ramakrishnan , Sangilimuthu Alagar Yadav , L. Srimathi Priya , Manikandan Ayyar , Lalitha Gnanasekaran , M. Santhamoorthy , S. Santhoshkumar","doi":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.11.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.11.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The understanding of how drugs interact with carrier proteins is crucial in the field of pharmacology and the life sciences, especially in the field of drug invention. In the present work described the molecular interaction of pharmaceutically important phyto-molecule khellin on bovine serum albumin. Khellin is recognized for its ability to widen blood vessels, making it useful for heart health. It's a major component of the plant <em>Ammi visnaga</em> and <em>Dioscorea</em> species helps to protect the heart. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) is a model protein of Human serum albumin hence, BSA has been used for drug-binding properties studies. Various biophysical techniques to examine the interactions between khellin and BSA. The biophysical techniques such as fluorescence quenching by fluorescence spectroscopy studies, micro-environmental changes by synchronous fluorescence, protein structural changes by circular dichroism spectroscopy, molecular docking, ADMET properties studies, SWISS Target Prediction for target analysis and pharmacokinetic analysis by <em>insilico</em>. The Khellin-BSA interaction was examined using fluorescence analysis, which showed that the binding constant was 1.29 ± 0.2 × 10<sup>12</sup> M<sup>−1</sup> and binding free energy was −7.99 kcal/mol by <em>in</em> <em>vitro</em>. The binding energy was compared with computation molecular docking studies of ligand and protein interaction showed the binding energy of −5.1 kcal/mol. It is nearer to the in vitro binding energy values of khellin on BSA. The micro-environmental changes of the ligand-protein complex were observed with peak shifts at Δλ15 for tyrosine, Δλ60 for tryptophane, and Δλ90 for phenylalanine. Also, the secondary structural changes of BSA after titrating the khellin were observed and found that there were secondary structural changes in the free BSA after adding the khellin. With possible targets found through SWISS Target Prediction, khellin is a promising druggable candidate, according to ADMET analysis, which revealed zero violations. Finally, we concluded that the Phyto-active constituent khellin possesses good binding affinity on BSA. Further, it can be taken for drug discovery experiments on clinical trials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11070,"journal":{"name":"Developmental biology","volume":"530 ","pages":"Pages 49-56"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145548590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental biologyPub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-11-20DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.11.015
Suneel S. Apte
{"title":"A serendipitous convergence- insights on extracellular matrix proteoglycans and their proteolysis in ensuring successful mammalian birth","authors":"Suneel S. Apte","doi":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.11.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.11.015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tissues comprise not only cells, but also extracellular matrix (ECM), which is assembled from some of the most abundant molecules in animals. ECM composition and organization underlie the tissue architecture of most organs by design and is thus optimized for their principal physiologic functions. While the structural role of ECM is widely accepted, its regulatory role is often overlooked. We identified a crucial role for ECM proteoglycans aggrecan and versican and the proteases which degrade them in ensuring dimorphism of the umbilical arteries and vein in relation to rapid closure of the umbilical arteries at birth. Another study which sought to define the roles of proteases in the vasculature, unexpectedly uncovered a requirement for ADAMTS9, a secreted protease, in trimming pericellular versican in the late-gestation myometrium. This activity was found to be necessary for priming the myometrium for sufficiently strong uterine contraction at parturition. These studies and others showed that fine tuning of umbilical vascular and myometrial ECM is crucial for survival of the species and illustrate how regulatory processes of the ECM can modulate smooth muscle cell phenotype. In addition to the outcomes, the underlying narrative illustrates how a mix of curiosity, happenstance, exploration of tangents, interdisciplinary collaboration and generous sharing of resources is rewarding and has a significant role in scientific discoveries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11070,"journal":{"name":"Developmental biology","volume":"530 ","pages":"Pages 70-76"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145581964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental biologyPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-10-17DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.10.013
Leanne H. Kelley , Ashley S. Houlihan , Kevin E. Yongblah, Abrar A. Aljiboury, Savannah L. Davis, Eleanor M. Maine
{"title":"Poly(U) polymerase activity promotes establishment of primordial germ cells and limits somatic PGL granules in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo","authors":"Leanne H. Kelley , Ashley S. Houlihan , Kevin E. Yongblah, Abrar A. Aljiboury, Savannah L. Davis, Eleanor M. Maine","doi":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.10.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.10.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Terminal uridylyl transferases/poly(U) polymerases (PUPs) promote animal development. Under conditions of temperature stress, <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em> PUP-1 and the partially redundant PUP-2 ensure development of the larva/adult germline and embryonic viability. Using high-throughput RNA sequencing, we characterized the transcriptomes of adult hermaphrodites and early embryos lacking PUP-1, PUP-2, or both. Transcripts with altered abundance included those expressed in various somatic tissues or the germline, including neuronal and spermatogenic mRNAs. For some transcripts, abundance was altered only in the absence of both PUP-1 and PUP-2, indicating redundancy. In embryos, some maternally provided and zygotically synthesized mRNAs are elevated, especially in the absence of PUP-2. In the early embryo, PUP-1 promotes division of the germline founder cell (P4), and division failure correlates with adult sterility. PUP-1 promotes the accumulation of PGL-1 in P granules and limits accumulation of somatic PGL-1 foci. Somatic PGL granules are normally cleared by autophagy; loss of PUP-1 does not appear to impair autophagy and instead PGL-1 foci may be more stable due to a change in RNA stability. This work establishes roles for PUPs in early embryonic development that carry forward to adulthood.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11070,"journal":{"name":"Developmental biology","volume":"529 ","pages":"Pages 241-253"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145318406","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ribosomal biogenesis defects trigger subunit specific developmental checkpoints via TOR signaling and gap junction in C. elegans","authors":"Agustian Surya , Qiuxia Zhao , Brittney Voigt , Rekha Rangan , Elif Sarinay Cenik","doi":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.10.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.10.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ribosome biogenesis is critical for postembryonic development progression in <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em>. Although maternally supplied ribosomes allow null mutants of ribosomal protein genes to complete embryogenesis, subsequent larval stages arrest if de novo ribosome production is compromised. Here, we compared null mutants in large <em>(rpl-5, rpl-33</em>) and small (<em>rps-10, rps-23</em>) ribosomal subunit genes with mutants defective in rRNA synthesis (<em>rpoa-2</em> and <em>rDNA loci</em>). By tracking divisions of the mesoblast (M) cell, we discovered that large subunit mutations cause a stringent arrest in M cell proliferation, distinctly more severe than the partial arrests observed in small subunit and rRNA synthesis mutants. Unlike nutrient-deprived (starvation) L1 diapause, this arrest does not activate the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor CKI-1, suggesting a CKI-1-independent checkpoint. Gene expression analyses revealed that <em>rpl-5(0)</em> and <em>rDNA(0)</em> mutants share overexpression of genes involved in ribosomal RNA processing and ribosome assembly, whereas larvae depleted of the RNA polymerase I subunit RPOA-2 uniquely overexpress lipid metabolism genes. Tissue-specific manipulations previously confirmed that ribosomal insufficiency in a single tissue can impose a whole-organism developmental block. Genetic analyses further implicated the gap junction protein INX-14 and the TORC2 component SINH-1 as partial suppressors of the M cell arrest in small ribosomal subunit mutants (<em>rps-23(0)</em>), but not in large ribosomal subunit mutants (<em>rpl-5(0)</em>). Introducing null mutations in downstream TORC1/TORC2 kinases to a tissue-specific RPOA-2 depletion background similarly modulated growth arrest, suggesting that gap junction communication and TOR pathways converge upon a ribosomal stress checkpoint. Collectively, our findings highlight a unique, CKI-1-independent arrest driven by large ribosomal subunit gene loss and reveal how distinct signaling pathways coordinate postembryonic development in response to ribosome biogenesis defects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11070,"journal":{"name":"Developmental biology","volume":"529 ","pages":"Pages 46-55"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145231639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental biologyPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-10-13DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.10.011
Roger Huynh , Nicole V. Aguilar , Sydney L. Lesko , Labib Rouhana
{"title":"A Tousled-like kinase (TLK) homolog required for male germline stem cell homeostasis in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea","authors":"Roger Huynh , Nicole V. Aguilar , Sydney L. Lesko , Labib Rouhana","doi":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.10.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.10.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tousled-like kinases (TLKs) are serine/threonine kinases that are conserved across metazoan life and involved in DNA stability and cell division. Mammalian TLKs are most highly expressed in the testes, but their role in spermatogenesis has remained elusive because mutations result in embryonic lethality. Here, we identify two TLK homologs in the planarian <em>Schmidtea mediterranea</em> (<em>Smed-TLK1a</em> and <em>Smed-TLK1b</em>) and reveal a testis-specific requirement for <em>Smed-TLK1a</em>. Preferential expression of <em>Smed-</em><em>TLK1a</em> was detected in testes of <em>S. mediterranea</em> hermaphrodites by whole-mount <em>in situ</em> hybridization, and more specifically in germline stem cells and spermatogonia by fluorescence <em>in situ</em> hybridization. RNA-interference disruption of <em>Smed-TLK1a</em> expression revealed that its function is required for development of normal testes<em>.</em> Detailed analyses using stage-specific genetic markers revealed that <em>Smed-TLK1a</em> is required for development and/or maintenance of male germline stem cells. In contrast, ovary morphology, oogenesis, and development of yolk glands were indistinguishable between control planarian hermaphrodites and <em>Smed-TLK1a</em> knockdowns, indicating that normal expression of this gene is not essential during development of female reproductive structures. Given the mechanisms of TLK action in other systems and phenotypic specificity to sperm development, we hypothesize that <em>Smed-TLK1a</em> drives changes in chromatin structure that are required for differentiation and/or maintenance of male germline stem cells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11070,"journal":{"name":"Developmental biology","volume":"529 ","pages":"Pages 176-187"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145298994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental biologyPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-28DOI: 10.1016/S0012-1606(25)00329-X
{"title":"Outside Back Cover - Graphical abstract TOC/TOC in double column/Cover image legend if applicable, Bar code, Abstracting and Indexing information","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S0012-1606(25)00329-X","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S0012-1606(25)00329-X","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11070,"journal":{"name":"Developmental biology","volume":"529 ","pages":"Page OBC"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145614436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental biologyPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-09-30DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.09.022
Visakuo Tsurho , Carla Gilliland , Jessica Ensing , Elizabeth A. VanSickle , Nathan J. Lanning , Paul R. Mark , Stephanie Grainger
{"title":"A zebrafish model of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) deficiency-derived congenital disorders","authors":"Visakuo Tsurho , Carla Gilliland , Jessica Ensing , Elizabeth A. VanSickle , Nathan J. Lanning , Paul R. Mark , Stephanie Grainger","doi":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.09.022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.09.022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Developmental NAD<sup>+</sup> deficiency is associated with diverse congenital malformations. Congenital NAD deficiency disorder (CNDD) is a multisystem developmental condition characterized by cardiac, renal, vertebral, and limb anomalies, among others. It is caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in genes involved in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD<sup>+</sup>) synthesis pathway. CNDD anomalies overlap with clinical features described in vertebral-anal-cardiac-tracheoesophageal fistula-renal-limb (VACTERL) association, suggesting a possible shared etiological link through NAD<sup>+</sup> deficiency. However, the aberrant developmental mechanisms of NAD<sup>+</sup>-deficient congenital anomalies remain poorly understood. To dynamically explore NAD<sup>+</sup>-deficiency-induced congenital malformations, we developed a zebrafish model of NAD<sup>+</sup> disruption. Zebrafish embryos treated with 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole (ATDA), a known NAD<sup>+</sup> metabolism disruptor, exhibited cardiac, tail, spinal cord, and craniofacial defects, which were partially rescued by nicotinamide (NAM) in a dose-dependent manner. Our work establishes zebrafish as a useful model for investigating how NAD<sup>+</sup> deficiency contributes to multisystem congenital anomalies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11070,"journal":{"name":"Developmental biology","volume":"529 ","pages":"Pages 271-277"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental biologyPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-10-03DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.10.002
Arzu Karahan
{"title":"Botryllus humilis: A promising new ascidian model for aging, stem cell dynamics, and whole-body regeneration","authors":"Arzu Karahan","doi":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.10.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Model organisms are essential in science as they provide systems for studying conserved biological processes. In addition to widely used multicellular and unicellular models, tunicates have emerged as valuable model organisms in various biological fields due to their distinctive characteristics. As chordates with both sexual and asexual reproductive strategies and the capacity for whole-body regeneration (WBR), tunicates provide a unique system for regeneration studies. Although the majority of organisms display varying levels of regenerative ability, only a few can perform WBR; notably, botryllid ascidians (Stolidobranchia) are the sole documented group of chordates with WBR. Tunicates, a subphylum of over 3000 identified marine invertebrate species, are the closest living relatives of vertebrates. Botryllids comprise approximately 160 colonial tunicate species within the genera <em>Botryllus</em> and <em>Botrylloides</em>, less than ten of which have been shown to undergo WBR from vascular tissue. However, it remains unknown whether all botryllids are capable of WBR or not. <em>Botryllus humilis</em> was first observed in New Caledonia and has recently been identified in the Mediterranean Sea. In the present study, the blastogenic cycle and WBR capacity of <em>B. humilis</em> were monitored for the first time following the ablation of all zooids and buds. Two temperature conditions and two staging systems were used to record the blastogenetic cycle. Colonies completed their blastogenic cycle in 7 days at 21 °C and 38 ppt salinity, while this duration shortened to 4 days at 26 °C under the same salinity. Colony age appeared to influence the number of budded zooids during the blastogenic cycle. I also assessed the WBR capacity in <em>B. humilis</em> for the first time by inducing WBR at different stages of the blastogenic cycle. Regeneration was completed within 120–138 h post-surgery, and the first post-regeneration blastogenic cycle was completed within 2 days. This study provides valuable insights into <em>B. humilis</em> as a highly valuable model species for aging, stem cell dynamics, and WBR studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11070,"journal":{"name":"Developmental biology","volume":"529 ","pages":"Pages 56-65"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145231655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}