A mutational approach to the study of development of the protochordate Ciona intestinalis (Tunicata, Chordata)

We have developed a protocol to perform a genetic screen for zygotic mutations affecting embryogenesis on the protochordate Ciona intestinalis. The choice of this taxon, whose phylogenetic position places it at the basis of the chordates as one the most primitive vertebrate relatives, could allow to address several evolutionary questions. The protochordates share many morphological features with the vertebrates, in primis the presence of a notochord. Ciona intestinalis shows several ideal features for a mutational analysis, such as external development and larvae made of a limited number of cells and cell types. Detailed cell lineage studies are available. The haploid genome size is comparable to the size of the Drosophila haploid genome. We have optimised conditions for chemical mutagenesis studying the efficiency at which different concentration of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) can induce mutations. Because the adult Ciona are hermaphrodites, we are performing a one-generation screen. The induced mutations are identified by visual inspection of developmental stages. We report the preliminary results from our screen including examples of the different classes of mutant phenotypes found so far.