<i>Math1</i> : An Essential Gene for the Generation of Inner Ear Hair Cells

TLDR

The inner ear contains cochlear and vestibular hair cells that transduce sound and motion, yet the molecular mechanisms of their development are poorly understood, with Math1 expressed in sensory epithelia. Embryonic Math1‑null mice fail to generate cochlear and vestibular hair cells, demonstrating that Math1 is essential for hair cell genesis.

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.