biostudies-literatureAztekin CCancer Research UKMedical Research CouncilWellcome Trust653-658https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6986927biostudies-literatureUnknown364(6441)Unlike mammals, <i>Xenopus laevis</i> tadpoles have a high regenerative potential. To characterize this regenerative response, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing after tail amputation. By comparing naturally occurring regeneration-competent and -incompetent tadpoles, we identified a previously unrecognized cell type, which we term the regeneration-organizing cell (ROC). ROCs are present in the epidermis during normal tail development and specifically relocalize to the amputation plane of regeneration-competent tadpoles, forming the wound epidermis. Genetic ablation or manual removal of ROCs blocks regeneration, whereas transplantation of ROC-containing grafts induces ectopic outgrowths in early embryos. Transcriptional profiling revealed that ROCs secrete ligands associated with key rScience (New York, N.Y.)Identification of a regeneration-organizing cell in the <i>Xenopus</i> tail.PMC6986927101050/Z/13/Z098357101050105031098357/Z/12/Z092096MC_PC_1200922231105031/Z/14/Z092096/Z/10/ZA14492Gurdon JBJullien JAztekin CHiscock TWSimons BDMarioni JCfalseIdentification of a regeneration-organizing cell in the <i>Xenopus</i> tail.Unlike mammals, <i>Xenopus laevis</i> tadpoles have a high regenerative potential. To characterize this regenerative response, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing after tail amputation. By comparing naturally occurring regeneration-competent and -incompetent tadpoles, we identified a previously unrecognized cell type, which we term the regeneration-organizing cell (ROC). ROCs are present in the epidermis during normal tail development and specifically relocalize to the amputation plane of regeneration-competent tadpoles, forming the wound epidermis. Genetic ablation or manual removal of ROCs blocks regeneration, whereas transplantation of ROC-containing grafts induces ectopic outgrowths in early embryos. Transcriptional profiling revealed that ROCs secrete ligands associated with key r2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 May2025-04-18T15:51:46.484Z2020-10-29T16:05:55ZS-EPMC69869273109766110.1126/science.aav9996