Tuning Inner-Ear Tip-Link Affinity Through Alternatively Spliced Variants of Protocadherin-15.

ABSTRACT: Human hearing relies upon the tip-to-tip interaction of two nonclassical cadherins, protocadherin-15 (PCDH15) and cadherin-23 (CDH23). Together, these proteins form a filament called the tip link that connects neighboring stereocilia of mechanosensitive hair cells. As sound waves enter the cochlea, the stereocilia deflect and tension is applied to the tip link, opening nearby transduction channels. Disruption of the tip link by loud sound or calcium chelators eliminates transduction currents and illustrates that tip-link integrity is critical for mechanosensing. Tip-link remodeling after disruption is a dynamic process, which can lead to the formation of atypical complexes that incorporate alternatively spliced variants of PCDH15. These variants are categorized into six groups (N1-N6) base

SUBMITTER: Narui Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5892193 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature