Developmental alterations in the biophysical properties of Ca(v) 1.3 Ca(2+) channels in mouse inner hair cells.

ABSTRACT: Prior to hearing onset, spontaneous action potentials activate voltage-gated Cav 1.3 Ca ( 2+) channels in mouse inner hair cells (IHCs), which triggers exocytosis of glutamate and excitation of afferent neurons. In mature IHCs, Cav 1.3 channels open in response to evoked receptor potentials, causing graded changes in exocytosis required for accurate sound transmission. Developmental alterations in Cav 1.3 properties may support distinct roles of Cav 1.3 in IHCs in immature and mature IHCs, and have been reported in various species. It is not known whether such changes in Cav 1.3 properties occur in mouse IHCs, but this knowledge is necessary for understanding the roles of Cav 1.3 in developing and mature IHCs. Here, we describe age-dependent differences in the biophysical properties of Cav

SUBMITTER: Inagaki A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3710344 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature