title: Selective expression of mercurial-insensitive water channel (AQP-4) gene in Hensen and Claudius cells in the rat cochlea.
abstract: We investigated the cellular localization of mercurial-insensitive water channel (MIWC) mRNA in the rat cochlea. MIWC gene expression was detected in the supporting cells in Corti's organ. The function of these supporting cells is not clear, but the results suggest that they reabsorb water and play a role in maintaining the ionic balance of inner ear fluids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Nara Medical University, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Minami
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyahara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsunaga
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tohyama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003051:Cochlea / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D007760:Labyrinth Supporting Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C094483:mercurial-insensitive water channel