Role of the F-box protein Skp2 in cell proliferation in the developing auditory system in mice

The F-box protein, Skp2 positively regulates the G1-S transition by controlling the stability of several G1 regulators, including p27. To evaluate the role of Skp2 in the mammalian developing auditory systems, the expression of Skp2 was examined together with the expression of p27 in auditory systems. Our data show expression of Skp2 in auditory epithelia and neurons at an early stage of development. During differentiation processes, the onset of p27 expression was observed together with the down-regulation of Skp2 expression, in auditory epithelia. In contrast, an alteration of expression of p27 and Skp2 in the greater epithelial ridge and spiral ganglion appeared after differentiation of hair cells. These findings suggest that Skp2 plays a crucial role in development of mammalian auditory systems.