Influence of collagenase on tip links in hair cells of the chick basilar papilla.
Chick basilar papillae were incubated in collagenase, using concentrations previously employed for the isolation of viable hair cells. When assessed by scanning electron microscopy, the hair bundles had a normal conformation, with no loss of tip links compared with control incubations. The results suggest that collagenase dose not destroy the integrity of structures on the apical surface of hair cells, and that tip links are not composed of collagen. The results are in agreement with the hypothesis that tip links are involved in mechanotransduction.
Pickles
J O
JO
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia.
Brix
J
J
Manley
G A
GA
D000818:Animals; D001489:Basilar Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D002645:Chickens; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D013680:Tectorial Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D014732:Vibration
D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D003012:Microbial Collagenase