In Vivo Calcium Imaging of Lateral-line Hair Cells in Larval Zebrafish.

ABSTRACT: Sensory hair cells are mechanoreceptors found in the inner ear that are required for hearing and balance. Hair cells are activated in response to sensory stimuli that mechanically deflect apical protrusions called hair bundles. Deflection opens mechanotransduction (MET) channels in hair bundles, leading to an influx of cations, including calcium. This cation influx depolarizes the cell and opens voltage-gated calcium channels located basally at the hair-cell presynapse. In mammals, hair cells are encased in bone, and it is challenging to functionally assess these activities in vivo. In contrast, larval zebrafish are transparent and possess an externally located lateral-line organ that contains hair cells. These hair cells are functionally and structurally similar to mammalian hair cells an

SUBMITTER: Lukasz D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6745707 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature