Neural signaling contributes to heart formation and growth in the invertebrate chordate, Ciona robusta.
Hannah N. Gruner, Christopher J. Pickett, Jasmine Yimeng Bao, Richard Garcia, Akiko Hozumi, Tal D. Scully, Shaoyang Ning, Mavis Gao, Gia Bautista, Keren Maze, Karissa Lim, Tomohiro Osugi, Mae Collins-Doijode, Ofubofu Cairns, Gabriel Levis, , Bradley Davidson
The paper shows that neuropeptide tachykinin and Wnt signaling regulate cardiomyocyte progenitor proliferation in Ciona robusta, with neuronal innervation playing a key role.
PLoS Biology · Apr 14, 2026Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology