Premium
The transmembrane inner ear (tmie) gene contributes to vestibular and lateral line development and function in the zebrafish ( Danio rerio )
Author(s) -
Shen YuChi,
Jeyabalan Anandhi K.,
Wu Karen L.,
Hunker Kristina L.,
Kohrman David C.,
Thompson Deborah L.,
Liu Dong,
Barald Kate F.
Publication year - 2008
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.21486
Subject(s) - zebrafish , inner ear , biology , hair cell , vestibular system , danio , otic vesicle , microbiology and biotechnology , lateral line , anatomy , morpholino , gene , genetics , neuroscience , gene expression , in situ hybridization
The inner ear is a complex organ containing sensory tissue, including hair cells, the development of which is not well understood. Our long‐term goal is to discover genes critical for the correct formation and function of the inner ear and its sensory tissue. A novel gene, transmembrane inner ear ( Tmie ), was found to cause hearing‐related disorders when defective in mice and humans. A homologous tmie gene in zebrafish was cloned and its expression characterized between 24 and 51 hours post‐fertilization. Embryos injected with morpholinos (MO) directed against tmie exhibited circling swimming behavior (∼37%), phenocopying mice with Tmie mutations; semicircular canal formation was disrupted, hair cell numbers were reduced, and maturation of electrically active lateral line neuromasts was delayed. As in the mouse, tmie appears to be required for inner ear development and function in the zebrafish and for hair cell maturation in the vestibular and lateral line systems as well. Developmental Dynamics 237:941–952, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.