The role of bioelectricity in the establishment of stolon growth polarity and zooid body axis symmetry in Perophora viridis regeneration.

• Grant number: 24/22403-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology
• Principal Investigator: Federico David Brown Almeida
• Grantee: Enzo Costa Frediani
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Ascidians are sessile, filter-feeding tunicates that serve as important models for studies on regeneration and animal development. Within this group, the genus Perophora, colonial ascidians composed of zooids interconnected by stolons, has been studied for its regenerative capacity from stolon fragments. In this context, the present work aims to understand a phenomenon described in the literature: stolon fragments excised between zooids lack predefined polarity, which is subsequently established. In contrast, fragments from the tip of the stolon exhibit polarity. Furthermore, the symmetry of the developed buds follows this polarity. Thus, the hypothesis of this project is that the observed polarity is caused by an electric gradient between the tip and the base of the stolon. To analyze the existence of such a gradient, experiments will be conducted to observe the regeneration of fragments dissected progressively closer to the stolon tip and branching regions. The bioelectric gradient will be assessed using voltage-sensitive dyes, the ion-selective vibrating probe method, and ionophores to disrupt the membrane potentials of the cells. Findings in this area will provide new insights into how regeneration functions in this animal model, potentially extending to other models and, in the future, contributing to regenerative medicine applications, offering significant benefits to human health.