Expression of glia-associated genes and emergence of glial lineages in Xenopus laevis suggests divergence in the regulation of gliogenesis

We have examined the emergence of glial lineages in Xenopus laevis. Single-cell transcriptomics shows that by stage 40, following the completion of primary neurogenesis, the central nervous system includes astrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursors, as well as proliferating neural progenitors expressing glast and other genes associated with glial functions.

These analyses also reveal clusters of GABAergic neurons, glutamatergic neurons, and immature neurons. Our results establish a time course for early astroglial functions and the differentiation of astrocyte and oligodendrocyte lineages.