Abstract :
[en] There are different β-tubulin isoforms in microtubules
of vertebrate tissues. However, their functional significance
is still largely unknown. In the present study, we
investigated the localization of five β-tubulin isotypes (β1–
5) within the hearing organ during development in rat. By
using confocal microscopy, we showed that with the exception
of the β3-tubulin isoform that was specific to nerve
fibres, all the different β-tubulin isoforms were mainly
present in the supporting cells. Contrary to β1–4-tubulins,
we also found that the β5-tubulin isoform appeared only at
a key stage of the post-natal development in specific cell
types (pillar cells and Deiters’ cells). By using transmission
electron microscopy, we revealed further that this developmental
stage coincided with the formation of two separate
bundles of microtubules from a unique one in these
supporting cells. Together, these results suggest that the
β5-tubulin isoform might be involved in the generation of
new microtubule bundles from a pre-existing one.
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