Transitional expression of OX-2 and GAP-43 glycoproteins in developing rat cochlear nerve fibers

The OX-2 and GAP-43 glycoproteins are two proteins involved in neuronal cell-to-cell interaction and/or growing of dendrites and axons. Therefore, for the auditory receptor the expression of these proteins could provide information on the afferent and efferent nerve fiber organization. The expression and distribution of OX-2 and GAP-43 were analyzed during the auditory receptor development and maturation (from embryonic day E13 to postnatal day P22). Both glycoproteins were early recognized in the cochleae of E13 rats. Then, they slowly but progressively disappeared, being absent when the animals reached the P22 postnatal day. At E13, a weak OX-2 expression was restricted to the perikaryon of the spiral ganglion neurons, while in the same period a strong GAP-43 immunostaining was found in both the neuronal perikaryon and the neurites. During the rat embryonic period (E13 to birth) the expression of both glycoproteins appeared progressively restricted to the neurites. During the rat postnatal period (P0 to P22), OX-2 and GAP-43 exhibited a dissimilar distribution pattern. The OX-2 glycoprotein appeared in the afferent, efferent and fibers of the auditory nerve, while the GAP-43 glycoprotein only appeared in the efferent nerve fibers. Present data suggest that OX-2 and GAP-43 could act as two complementary glycoproteins during the development, organization, and maturation of the cochlear nerve fibers. While both glycoproteins could participate in axonal growing and orientation, OX-2 could also be involved in a similar process for auditory dendrites.