Tunicate cytostatic factor TC14-3 induces a polycomb group gene and histone modification through Ca(2+) binding and protein dimerization.

Background: As many invertebrate species have multipotent cells that undergo cell growth and differentiation during regeneration and budding, many unique and interesting homeostatic factors are expected to exist in those animals. However, our understanding of such factors and global mechanisms remains very poor. Single zooids of the tunicate, Polyandrocarpa misakiensis, can give off as many as 40 buds during the life span.