Abstract
Background: Atoh1, also named Math1, is essential for the development of inner ear hair cells. Many studies have confirmed that the absence of Atoh1 resulted in a total loss of inner ear hair cells, which indicates that Atoh1 plays very similar roles in the development of hair cells in the cochlea and vestibule.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Atoh1 plays different roles in the cochlea and vestibule.Material and methods: We generated Atoh1-null mice by inbreeding Atoh1cre/+ heterozygous mice and compared with the epithelial cell status of the cochlea and vestibule.Results: We found that no inner ear hair cells were detected in Atoh1-null mice. However, a different cell status was found in the mutant cochlea and vestibule on the last embryonic day (E18.5). In the Atoh1-null cochlea, the epithelial cells that should develop into hair cells were totally absent, while in the Atoh1-null vestibule, most of the epithelial cells that should develop into hair cells still survived.Conclusions: Our data indicate that Atoh1 may have similar but partially different functions in the development of hair cells in the cochlea and vestibule.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have