Abstract
The mammalian inner ear contains the cochlea and vestibular organs, which are responsible for hearing and balance, respectively. The epithelia of these sensory organs contain hair cells that function as mechanoreceptors to transduce sound and head motion. The molecular mechanisms underlying hair cell development and differentiation are poorly understood. Math1, a mouse homolog of the Drosophila proneural gene atonal, is expressed in inner ear sensory epithelia. Embryonic Math1-null mice failed to generate cochlear and vestibular hair cells. This gene is thus required for the genesis of hair cells.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
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Calbindin 2
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Cell Differentiation
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Cochlea / embryology
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Cochlea / metabolism
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Cochlea / ultrastructure
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Ear, Inner / embryology*
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Ear, Inner / metabolism
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Ear, Inner / ultrastructure
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Epithelium / metabolism
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Epithelium / ultrastructure
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Gene Targeting
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Genes, Essential*
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Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner / cytology*
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Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner / metabolism
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Mice
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Microscopy, Electron
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Myosin Heavy Chains / biosynthesis
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S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / biosynthesis
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Saccule and Utricle / embryology
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Saccule and Utricle / metabolism
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Saccule and Utricle / ultrastructure
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Stem Cells / cytology
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Transcription Factors / genetics*
Substances
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Atoh1 protein, mouse
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
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Calbindin 2
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S100 Calcium Binding Protein G
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Transcription Factors
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myosin VI
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Myosin Heavy Chains