RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Development of the Mouse Inner Ear and Origin of Its Sensory Organs
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 3327
OP 3335
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.18-09-03327.1998
VO 18
IS 9
A1 Hakim Morsli
A1 Daniel Choo
A1 Allen Ryan
A1 Randy Johnson
A1 Doris K. Wu
YR 1998
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/18/9/3327.abstract
AB The molecular mechanisms dictating the morphogenesis and differentiation of the mammalian inner ear are largely unknown. To better elucidate the normal development of this organ, two approaches were taken. First, the membranous labyrinths of mouse inner ears ranging from 10.25 to 17 d postcoitum (dpc) were filled with paint to reveal their gross development. Particular attention was focused on the developing utricle, saccule, and cochlea. Second, we used bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and lunatic fringe (Fng) as molecular markers to identify the origin of the sensory structures. Our data showed that BMP4 was an early marker for the superior, lateral, and posterior cristae, whereasFng served as an early marker for the macula utriculi, macula sacculi, and the sensory portion of the cochlea. The posterior crista was the first organ to appear at 11.5 dpc and was followed by the superior crista, the lateral crista, and the macula utriculi at 12 dpc. The macula sacculi and the cochlea were present at 12 dpc but became distinguishable from each other by 13 dpc. Based on the gene expression patterns, the anterior and lateral cristae may share a common origin. Similarly, three sensory organs, the macula utriculi, macula sacculi, and cochlea, seem to arise from a single region of the otocyst.