β-actin and γ-actin are each dispensable for auditory hair cell development but required for Stereocilia maintenance.

ABSTRACT: Hair cell stereocilia structure depends on actin filaments composed of cytoplasmic β-actin and γ-actin isoforms. Mutations in either gene can lead to progressive hearing loss in humans. Since β-actin and γ-actin isoforms are 99% identical at the protein level, it is unclear whether each isoform has distinct cellular roles. Here, we compared the functions of β-actin and γ-actin in stereocilia formation and maintenance by generating mice conditionally knocked out for Actb or Actg1 in hair cells. We found that, although cytoplasmic actin is necessary, neither β-actin nor γ-actin is required for normal stereocilia development or auditory function in young animals. However, aging mice with β-actin- or γ-actin-deficient hair cells develop different patterns of progressive hearing loss and distin

SUBMITTER: Perrin BJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2954897 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature