Wrapping up stereocilia rootlets.
The actin-filled stereocilia of cochlear hair cells deflect in response to sound by pivoting around rootlets at their insertion points at the sensory cell surface. Kitajiri et al. (2010) now show that the actin-binding protein TRIOBP tightly bundles the actin filaments into rootlets, endowing these stereocilia "pivots" with unique elasticity and robustness.
Boutet de Monvel
Jacques
J
Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l'Audition, Département de Neuroscience, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France; Inserm UMRS 587, Paris, France.
Petit
Christine
C