Distribution of pendrin in the organ of Corti of mice observed by electron immunomicroscopy.
The distribution of pendrin, which is encoded by the Pendred syndrome gene, has been investigated immunohistochemically in the inner ear. In the cochlea, pendrin has been found in the spiral prominence, external sulcus cells, Hensen's cells and Claudius cells, but its expression in the organ of Corti remains unclear. We examined whether pendrin localizes in the organ of Corti by postembedding immunogold analysis. In the organ of Corti, gold particles were clearly observed in outer and inner hair cells, including the stereocilia. The density of the particles was especially high in the cuticular plates of the hair cells. Gold particles were also detected in the external sulcus, in part of the spiral ligament adjacent to the external sulcus, in supporting cells, and in the spiral ganglion of the cochlea. Our study revealed that pendrin occurs in the organ of Corti. The role of pendrin in the organ of Corti and its association with the Cl- or pH regulation of neurotransmission require further study.
Yoshino
Takahiko
T
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 4668550, Japan. yoshinot@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Sato
Eisuke
E
Nakashima
Tsutomu
T
Teranishi
Masaaki
M
Yamamoto
Hiroshi
H
Otake
Hironao
H
Mizuno
Terukazu
T
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D002712:Chlorides; D006042:Goiter / Q000235:genetics; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000235:genetics*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007760:Labyrinth Supporting Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000076988:Sulfate Transporters; D013577:Syndrome
D002712:Chlorides; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; C085609:SLC26A4 protein, human; D000076988:Sulfate Transporters