Premium
A Study of the Striated Organelle in Vestibular Endorgans
Author(s) -
Vranceanu Florin,
Lysakowski Anna
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.2_supplement.29
Subject(s) - organelle , hair cell , vestibular system , microtubule , utricle , anatomy , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , ultrastructure , cochlea , neuroscience
This study focuses on the ultrastructure of vestibular hair cells. We are looking at the region below the cuticular plate, trying to analyze stereociliar rootlet architecture at the apical end of the cell. Our main object of interest is the striated organelle (STO), a unique structure located at the apical end of auditory and vestibular hair cells, just below the cuticular plate. While most studies have addressed structure, very few have tried to identify the molecular components of the STO. To obtain as much data as possible about the structure of this organelle, we are using EM methods, including EM tomography, on chinchilla and rat vestibular endorgans. Also, to identify some components of STOs we are using immunohistochemistry, at both confocal and EM levels. Our results show that the organelle is connected to the actin rootlets running through the cuticular plate, and to the cell membrane. The location of the STO suggests that it may play a structural role in maintaining hair cell cytoarchitecture. However, association with microtubules, mitochondria and smooth ER suggest it may also play an active role by controlling the directionally‐specific interaction of contractile proteins. Our hypothesis is that the STO forms an inverted conical “cage” that can contract and modulate the “stiffness” of the hair bundle, influencing hair cell sensitivity. Supported by NIH DC‐02521.