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Foxg1 is required for proper separation and formation of sensory cristae during inner ear development
Author(s) -
Hwang Chan Ho,
Simeone Antonio,
Lai Eseng,
Wu Doris K.
Publication year - 2009
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.22111
Subject(s) - crista , inner ear , biology , vestibular system , anatomy , semicircular canal , sensory system , posterior semicircular canal , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , mitochondrion
The vestibular portion of the inner ear, the three semicircular canals and their sensory cristae, is responsible for detecting angular head movements. It was proposed that sensory cristae induce formation of their non‐sensory components, the semicircular canals. Here, we analyzed the inner ears of Foxg1 −/− mouse mutants, which display vestibular defects that are in conflict with the above model. In Foxg1 −/− ears, the lateral canal is present without the lateral ampulla, which houses the lateral crista. Our gene expression analyses indicate that at the time when canal specification is thought to occur, the prospective lateral crista is present, which could have induced lateral canal formation prior to its demise. Our genetic fate‐mapping analyses indicate an improper separation between anterior and lateral cristae in Foxg1 −/− mutants. Our data further suggest that a function of Foxg1 in the inner ear is to restrict sensory fate. Developmental Dynamics 238:2725–2734, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.