title: Cytoskeletal proteins in human hair cells.
abstract: Human cochlear and vestibular hair cells (HCs) were analysed for the three major cytoskeletal types of structures: microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments and several of their associated proteins. Specific immunomorphological features were identified: the apical surface, the infracuticular rod of F-actin, the cytoplasm and the HC bases and their interactions with adjacent supporting cells. There is morphological evidence for at least three functionally interacting units: the OHC as a cytoskeletal string interacting with the Deiter's cell, being a part of the rigid pancellular protein shell of the organ of Corti; compartmentalization of HCs (surrounded by rigid intermediate filament proteins in the supporting cells); and a calcium-guided short-loop feed-back control of type I HCs. The cytoskeletal composition of all four types of human HCs and their adjacent structures is similar to, although not identical with, corresponding compositions in other mammalian species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University Hospital (Akademiska sjukhuset), Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anniko
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Arnold
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003051:Cochlea / Q000166:cytology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins