Influence of Myosin Regulatory Light Chain and Myosin Light Chain Kinase on the Physiological Function of Inner Ear Hair Cells.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

In the receptor organs of the inner ear, hair cells detect mechanical stimuli such as sounds and accelerations by deflection of their hair bundles. Myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) and non-muscle myosin II (NM2) are expressed at the apical surfaces of hair cells, and NM2 and the phosphorylation of RLC by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) have earlier been shown to regulate the shapes of hair cells' apical surfaces in rodents. The aim of our study was to elucidate the function of myosin molecules on hair cell physiology.

Methods

We investigated the expression of NM2 and RLC in the bullfrog's saccule by immunostaining. Using NM2 and MLCK inhibitors, we measured the stiffness, spontaneous oscillation, and resting open probability of frog hair bundles. Six to ten saccu

SUBMITTER: Oya R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12133660 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature