Molecular markers for cell types of the inner ear and candidate genes for hearing disorders.

Abstract

To identify genes expressed in the vertebrate inner ear, we have established an assay that allows rapid analysis of the differential expression pattern of mRNAs derived from an auditory epithelium-specific cDNA library. We performed subtractive hybridization to create an enriched probe, which then was used to screen the cDNA library. After digoxigenin-labeled antisense cRNAs had been transcribed from hybridization-positive clones, we conducted in situ hybridization on slides bearing cryosections of late embryonic chicken heads, bodies, and cochleae. One hundred and twenty of the 196 clones analyzed encode 12 proteins whose mRNAs are specifically or highly expressed in the chicken's inner ear; the remainder encode proteins that occur more widely. We identified proteins that have been described previously as expressed in the inner ear, such as beta-tectorin, calbindin, and type II collagen. A second group of proteins abundant in the inner ear includes five additional types of collagens. A third group, including Coch-5B2 and an ear-specific connexin, comprises proteins whose human equivalents are candidates to account for hearing disorders. This group also includes proteins expressed in two unique cell types of the inner ear, homogene cells and cells of the tegmentum vasculosum.

• Authors: S Heller, C A Sheane, Z Javed, A J Hudspeth
• Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A) Vol. 95 Issue 19 Pg. 11400-5 (Sep 15 1998) ISSN: 0027-8424 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9736748 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Avian Proteins
• COCH protein, human
• Connexins
• Extracellular Matrix Proteins
• Microfilament Proteins
• Proteins
• RNA, Antisense
• RNA, Messenger
• homogenin protein, chicken
• otokeratin protein, chicken
• GJB3 protein, human
• Keratins

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Animals
• Avian Proteins
• Chick Embryo
• Cloning, Molecular
• Cochlea (cytology, metabolism)
• Connexins (chemistry)
• Ear (physiology)
• Extracellular Matrix Proteins
• Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental (genetics)
• Hearing Disorders (genetics)
• Humans
• In Situ Hybridization
• Keratins (chemistry)
• Microfilament Proteins (chemistry)
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Proteins (chemistry)
• RNA, Antisense (genetics)
• RNA, Messenger (metabolism)
• Sequence Analysis, DNA