PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) is a tumor suppressor gene that regulates various cell processes including proliferation, growth, synaptogenesis and the dynamics of the actin-myosin cytoskeleton. We studied the expression pattern of PTEN in the mouse inner ear during development and explored its function by analysis of PTEN heterozygous null mice. Immunolabeling revealed that PTEN is expressed primarily in differentiating sensory neurons and hair cells, coinciding with the temporal and spatial gradients of hair cell differentiation. In heterozygous null mice the sensory epithelial progenitors withdraw later from the cell cycle than wild type and this is associated with an increase in hair cell number. Disorganization and loss of hair bundles is uniquely associated with the formation of ectopic hair bundles on the inner pillar cells. These results show that PTEN plays an important role in regulating the proliferation, differentiation and innervation of mammalian cochlear hair cells. PTEN signaling pathways provide potential therapeutic targets for the regeneration of mammalian inner ear sensory epithelia.
37th Congress of IUPS (Birmingham, UK) (2013) Proc 37th IUPS, PCC113
Poster Communications: PTEN regulates hair cell proliferation, differentiation and innervation in the mammalian inner ear
Y. Dong1, L. Sui1, F. Yamaguchi1, K. Kamitori1, Y. Hirata1, A. Hossain1, A. Suzuki2, M. Tokuda1
1. Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kitagun, Kagawa, Japan. 2. Division of Embryonic and Genetic Engineering, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Kagawa, Japan.
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Where applicable, experiments conform with Society ethical requirements.