Premium
Basic helix–loop–helix gene Hes6 delineates the sensory hair cell lineage in the inner ear
Author(s) -
Qian Dong,
RaddeGallwitz Kristen,
Kelly Michael,
Tyrberg Björn,
Kim Jaesang,
Gao WeiQiang,
Chen Ping
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.20736
Subject(s) - biology , helix (gastropod) , inner ear , hair cell , lineage (genetic) , sensory system , gene , basic helix loop helix , genetics , anatomy , neuroscience , transcription factor , zoology , dna binding protein , gastropoda
The basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) gene Hes6 is known to promote neural differentiation in vitro. Here, we report the expression and functional studies of Hes6 in the inner ear. The expression of Hes6 appears to be parallel to that of Math1 (also known as Atoh1), a bHLH gene necessary and sufficient for hair cell differentiation. Hes6 is expressed initially in the presumptive hair cell precursors in the cochlea. Subsequently, the expression of Hes6 is restricted to morphologically differentiated hair cells. Similarly, the expression of Hes6 in the vestibule is in the hair cell lineage. Hes6 is dispensable for hair cell differentiation, and its expression in inner ear hair cells is abolished in the Math1‐null animals. Furthermore, the introduction of Hes6 into the cochlea in vitro is not sufficient to promote sensory or neuronal differentiation. Therefore, Hes6 is downstream of Math1 and its expression in the inner ear delineates the sensory lineage. However, the role of Hes6 in the inner ear remains elusive. Developmental Dynamics 235:1689–1700, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.