Acoustic input and efferent activity regulate the expression of molecules involved in cochlear micromechanics.

ABSTRACT: Electromotile activity in auditory outer hair cells (OHCs) is essential for sound amplification. It relies on the highly specialized membrane motor protein prestin, and its interactions with the cytoskeleton. It is believed that the expression of prestin and related molecules involved in OHC electromotility may be dynamically regulated by signals from the acoustic environment. However little is known about the nature of such signals and how they affect the expression of molecules involved in electromotility in OHCs. We show evidence that prestin oligomerization is regulated, both at short and relatively long term, by acoustic input and descending efferent activity originating in the cortex, likely acting in concert. Unilateral removal of the middle ear ossicular chain reduces levels of tri

SUBMITTER: Lamas V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4299405 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature