Effects of the somatic ion channels upon spontaneous mechanical oscillations in hair bundles of the inner ear

Abstract

Decoupled hair bundles of the bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeianus) sacculus exhibit spontaneous oscillations in vitro. We examine the effect of the somatic electrical circuit upon active hair bundle motility. We found that innate bundle movements exhibit a complex profile with multiple periodicities. Inhibition of somatic ion channels using targeted neurotoxins and modified physiological solutions strongly affects the bundles’ mechanical behavior, modifying the amplitude and the temporal characteristics of the oscillation profile.