An RNA interference-based screen of transcription factor genes identifies pathways necessary for sensory regeneration in the avian inner ear.

ABSTRACT: Sensory hair cells of the inner ear are the mechanoelectric transducers of sound and head motion. In mammals, damage to sensory hair cells leads to hearing or balance deficits. Nonmammalian vertebrates such as birds can regenerate hair cells after injury. In a previous study, we characterized transcription factor gene expression during chicken hair cell regeneration. In those studies, a laser microbeam or ototoxic antibiotics were used to damage the sensory epithelia (SE). The current study focused on 27 genes that were upregulated in regenerating SEs compared to untreated SEs in the previous study. Those genes were knocked down by siRNA to determine their requirement for supporting cell proliferation and to measure resulting changes in the larger network of gene expression. We identified

SUBMITTER: Alvarado DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3086586 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature