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REST mRNA expression in normal and regenerating avian auditory epithelium
David W Roberson1, Julie A Alosi, Mark Mercola
1Department of Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital-Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, , Boston, MA 02155, USA. david,roberson@tch.harvard.edu
Hearing Research
|October 4, 2002
Summary
Repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) inactivation is crucial for hair cell fate finalization in the chick inner ear. REST expression changes in supporting cells and hair cells indicate a less developed state in undamaged regions.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Fate Determination
Background:
- Hair cells and supporting cells in the auditory epithelium originate from undifferentiated cells.
- Initial steps of hair cell and supporting cell fate determination are understood, but molecular events finalizing these fates remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) in finalizing hair cell fate.
- Determine REST expression patterns in the developing and regenerating auditory epithelium.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization (ISH) to detect REST mRNA expression.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect neuron-specific splice variants.
- Analysis of REST expression in regenerating and undamaged auditory epithelium.
Main Results:
- Supporting cells express REST mRNA, while sensory hair cells show undetectable levels by ISH.
- A neuron-specific REST splice variant was detected in hair cells by RT-PCR, indicating low-level expression.
- REST mRNA was upregulated in regenerating epithelium and in supporting cells and hair cells in undamaged regions.
Conclusions:
- REST inactivation is a key step in finalizing hair cell fate in the chick inner ear.
- Upregulation of REST in undamaged regions suggests a 'less developed' biochemical state.
- REST expression dynamics provide insights into auditory cell fate determination and regeneration.