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Abstract :
[en] A feature of the organ of Corti’s supporting cells is the presence of an abundant cytoskeleton which is mainly composed of microtubules. These supporting cells have also been shown to contain a minor mammalian tubulin, the β5-tubulin [1], recently related as a biomarker for cancer outcome [2] and cell proliferation [3]. It was shown that a β-tubulin isoform can specified the microtubule architecture, such as the expression of the Moth β2 in the Drosophila testes imposed the 16 protofilaments (16pf) structure on the corresponding subset of Drosophila microtubules, which normally contain 13pf [4]. Moreover, supporting cell microtubules are formed by 15pf instead of the canonical 13, a unique fact among vertebrates [5]. Such a protofilament configuration has been observed in C. elegans’ neurons which are responsible for the mechanosensory sense of touch [6]. It was also shown that these 15pf microtubules were essential to the proper functioning of these mechanosensory neurons [6].
To determine the role of this particular tubulin in the auditory organ and its possible involvement in the formation of the unusual 15pf microtubules of supporting cells, we studied the spatiotemporal localization of β5-tubulin during development in rats from embryonic day 18 until P25 (25th postnatal day). We also analyzed the localization of β5-tubulin mRNA expression in the Corti’s organ. Then we examined the fine structure of microtubules at the electron microscope level. For these experiments, we used an early postnatal stage and a late postnatal stage.
Our results showed that β5-tubulin, contrary to other β-tubulins, had a unique distribution in the cochlea. This β-tubulin appeared at a postnatal stage, before the opening of the Corti’s tunnel and being restricted to supporting cells, especially in pillar and Deiters cells,. The same localization of β5-tubulin mRNA was observed by in Situ Hybridization. Electron microscopy indicated further that Pillar and Deiters cells were composed by 15-protofilament microtubules at the late postnatal stage (P25).
In conclusion, all these data strongly suggest that there is a relationship between the presence of β5-tubulin and 15-protofilament microtubules in the supporting cells of the auditory organ. Further studies are now needed to elucidate their role.
Commentary :
References:
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