Cochlea
- Genomic architecture of Shh-dependent cochlear morphogenesis
Summary: An integrated genomic approach identifies Shh-responsive genes and associated regulatory sequences with known and previously uncharacterized roles in cochlear morphogenesis, including genes that prime the cochlea for sensory development.
- SOX2 is required for inner ear growth and cochlear nonsensory formation before sensory development
Summary: The transcription factor SOX2 has a novel early role in promoting progenitor proliferation and in the growth and morphogenesis of the otocyst before its sensory-specific function during inner ear development.
- A non-autonomous function of the core PCP protein VANGL2 directs peripheral axon turning in the developing cochlea
Summary: Planar cell polarity proteins function in cochlear supporting cells to guide peripheral axon guidance and the innervation of outer hair cells by the spiral ganglion.
- A tectorin-based matrix and planar cell polarity genes are required for normal collagen-fibril orientation in the developing tectorial membrane
Highlighted Article: Analysis of mouse mutants reveals for the first time that a combination of planar cell polarity genes and molecular crowding determines the patterning of collagen-fibril bundles in an extracellular matrix.
- Distinct capacity for differentiation to inner ear cell types by progenitor cells of the cochlea and vestibular organs
Summary: Progenitor cells isolated from different regions of the inner ear show distinct capacities for differentiation, acquiring phenotypic properties of their respective compartments of origin.
- Notch-Wnt-Bmp crosstalk regulates radial patterning in the mouse cochlea in a spatiotemporal manner
Summary: Forced activation of Wnt signaling in the sensory domain of the developing cochlea impacts radial patterning and downstream gene expression in a spatiotemporal manner.
- Otx2 is a target of N-myc and acts as a suppressor of sensory development in the mammalian cochlea
Summary: A microarray-based screen identifies Otx2 as a crucial target of N-myc, and further studies show that Otx2 is essential for spatial restriction of the sensory domain in the mammalian cochlea.
- Ciliary proteins Bbs8 and Ift20 promote planar cell polarity in the cochlea
Summary: A subset of cilia proteins are involved in intracellular trafficking of membrane-bound proteins, including planar cell polarity regulators, to non-ciliary locations.