Premium
Induction of the chick columella and its integration with the inner ear
Author(s) -
Zou Yihui,
Mak SiuShan,
Liu Hui Zhan,
Han Dong Yi,
Zhuang Hong Xing,
Yang Shi Ming,
Ladher Raj K.
Publication year - 2012
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.23788
Subject(s) - columella , biology , ectoderm , mesoderm , endoderm , anatomy , inner ear , middle ear , hyperbola , microbiology and biotechnology , embryogenesis , embryo , embryonic stem cell , genetics , geometry , nose , mathematics , gene
Background: The auditory complex of the chick, like that of humans, is made of intimate and highly ordered connections between the inner ear, the middle ear, and the outer ear. Unlike mammals, the middle ear of chick has only one ossicle, known as the columella. The independent lineages of the two suggest that some mechanism must exist that ensures the connectivity between the inner ear and the columella; however, the basis of integration is not known. Results: Using quail‐chick chimeras, we demonstrate that columella development depends on signaling interactions. Specifically, both pharyngeal endoderm and cranial paraxial mesoderm can alter the morphology of the columella. Only a discrete region of pharyngeal endoderm exerts this patterning activity, and this region is specified by the overlying paraxial mesoderm. Conclusions: Paraxial mesoderm is also used in the induction of the inner ear, thus we propose that this overlapping source of signalling cues in both middle and inner ear development may underlie the integration of these structures. Developmental Dynamics 241:1104–1110, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.