Identification of gene expression profiles in rat ears with cDNA microarrays.
The physiological processes of hearing implicate thousands of molecules acting in harmony; however, their identities are only partially understood. We used cDNA microarrays containing 1,176 genes to identify >150 genes expressed in rat middle and inner ear tissue. Expressed genes covered several gene families and biological pathways, many of which have previously not been described. Transcription factor genes that were expressed included inhibitors of DNA binding protein (Id). These were localized to the spiral ganglion, organ of Corti and stria vascularis, and they are possibly involved in neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Transcriptional factors that were highly expressed included Gax (homeobox) and I-kappaB, which inhibit cellular proliferation. Their presence suggests that inhibitory programs for cell proliferation are enforced in the ear. Ion channel genes that were expressed included voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels (LTCC) and proton-gated cation channels (PGCC). Genes involved in neurotransmitter production and release included glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD1). Genes involved in postsynaptic inhibition included neuropeptide Y5 receptors (NPY5) and GAD1. Due to the existence of receptors and/or enzymes involved in their biochemical synthesis, neurotransmitters associated with these might include serotonin, glutamide, acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), neurotensin, and dopamine.
Lin
Jizhen
J
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Division of Biostatistics, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. linxx004@tc.umn.edu
Ozeki
Masashi
M
Javel
Eric
E
Zhao
Zhenfen
Z
Pan
Wei
W
Schlentz
Eileen
E
Levine
Samuel
S
D000818:Animals; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000235:genetics; D002412:Cations / Q000378:metabolism; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000378:metabolism*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000235:genetics; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051798:Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000235:genetics; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000235:genetics; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011522:Protons; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D002412:Cations; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins; C497454:ID1 protein, rat; D051798:Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1; D007473:Ion Channels; C081336:Meox2 protein, rat; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011522:Protons; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase