Project description:Progressive unfolding of gene expression cascades underlies diverse embryonic lineage development. Here, we report a single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of the complete and invariant embryonic cell lineage of the tunicate Ciona savignyi from fertilization to the onset of gastrulation. We reconstructed a developmental landscape of 47 cell types over eight cell cycles in the wild-type embryo and identified eight fate transformations upon fibroblast growth factor (FGF) inhibition. For most FGF-dependent asymmetric cell divisions, the bipotent mother cell displays the gene signature of the default daughter fate. In convergent differentiation of the two notochord lineages, we identified additional gene pathways parallel to the master regulator T/Brachyury. Last, we showed that the defined Ciona cell types can be matched to E6.5-E8.5 stage mouse cell types and display conserved expression of limited number of transcription factors. This study provides a high-resolution single-cell dataset to understand chordate early embryogenesis and cell lineage differentiation.
Project description:We sequence the transcriptomes of 86,024 single cells from C. elegans embryos, spanning from gastrulation to the beginning of cuticle synthesis. We identify the lineage (from the invariant C. elegans cell lineage) and approximate developmental age of each cell in the single cell data. Using these annotations, we investigate the competing influences of cell lineage and cell fate on gene expression.
Project description:The evolution of gene expression programs underlying the development of vertebrates remains poorly characterized. Here, we present a comprehensive proteome atlas of the model chordate Ciona, covering eight developmental stages and ~7k translated genes, accompanied by a multi-omics analysis of co-evolution with the vertebrate Xenopus. Quantitative proteome comparisons argue against the widely held hourglass model, based solely on transcriptomic profiles, whereby peak conservation is observed during mid-developmental stages. Our analysis reveals maximal divergence at these stages, particularly gastrulation and neurulation. Together, our work provides a valuable resource for evaluating conservation and divergence of multi-omics profiles underlying the diversification of vertebrates.
Project description:We present a comprehensive proteome atlas of the model chordate Ciona, covering eight developmental stages and ~7k translated genes as well as a deep quantitative atlas of maternal proteins found in the Ciona egg.
Project description:Gastrulation is a critical stage of embryonic development during which the three germ layers are established. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying this proces from a protein perspective remains a significant challenge. To address this, we employed a multilayered mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach to investigate the global dynamics of (phospho)protein expression during differentiation of ESCs towards gastruloids – an in vitro model of gastrulation-stage embryogenesis. Our findings revealed that many proteins exhibited temporal expression with unique expression profiles corresponding to the three germ layers. Additionally, we profiled enhancer interaction landscapes in ESCs and gastruloids using p300 proximity labeling, which revealed numerous gastruloid-specific transcription factors and chromatin remodelers. Subsequent degron based perturbations combined with scRNA-seq revealed a critical role for Zeb2 in regulating mouse and human somitogenesis. Overall, this study provides a rich resource for developmental and synthetic biology communities endeavoring to understand mammalian embryogenesis.
Project description:The integration of cell metabolism with signalling pathways, transcription factor networks and epigenetic mediators is critical in coordinating molecular and cellular events during embryogenesis. Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) are an established model for embryogenesis, germ layer specification and cell lineage differentiation, advancing the study of human embryonic development and the translation of innovations in drug discovery, disease modelling and cell-based therapies. The metabolic regulation of IPSC pluripotency is mediated by balancing glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, but there is a paucity of data regarding the influence of individual metabolite changes during cell lineage differentiation. We used <sup>1</sup>H NMR metabolite fingerprinting and footprinting to monitor metabolite levels as IPSCs are directed in a three-stage protocol through primitive streak/mesendoderm, mesoderm and chondrogenic populations. Metabolite changes were associated with central metabolism, with aerobic glycolysis predominant in IPSC, elevated oxidative phosphorylation during differentiation and fatty acid oxidation and ketone body use in chondrogenic cells. Metabolites were also implicated in the epigenetic regulation of pluripotency, cell signalling and biosynthetic pathways. Our results show that <sup>1</sup>H NMR metabolomics is an effective tool for monitoring metabolite changes during the differentiation of pluripotent cells with implications on optimising media and environmental parameters for the study of embryogenesis and translational applications.