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Spatiotemporal expression of Ezh2 in the developing mouse cochlear sensory epithelium
Yan Chen1,2,3, Wenyan Li1,3, Wen Li1,2,3
1Otorhinolaryngology Department of Affiliated Eye and ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China.
Frontiers of Medicine
|July 29, 2016
Summary
Enhancer of zeste 2 (Ezh2) expression was mapped throughout mouse cochlear development. This histone methyltransferase is present in the cochlear epithelium from embryonic stages to adulthood, aiding future research.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Epigenetics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Enhancer of zeste 2 (Ezh2) is a histone-lysine N-methyltransferase involved in DNA methylation and crucial for stem cell functions.
- While Ezh2's roles in proliferation and differentiation are known, its specific expression pattern during mouse cochlear development remains uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal expression profile of Ezh2 within the developing mouse cochlea.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of Ezh2 expression in mouse cochlear tissues at various embryonic (E9.5-E15.5) and postnatal (P0, P7) developmental stages.
- Observation of Ezh2 localization in nuclei of cochlear cells, including hair cells, supporting cells, stria vascularis, and spiral ganglion cells.
Main Results:
- Ezh2 expression was detected in the whole otocyst nuclei at E9.5.
- Expression shifted to the cochlear prosensory epithelium nuclei by E12.5 and spanned apical to basal turns in differentiating epithelium by E13.5-E15.5.
- Postnatally, Ezh2 was consistently found in the nuclei of cochlear epithelium across all turns, including hair cells, supporting cells, stria vascularis, and spiral ganglion cells, persisting into adulthood.
Conclusions:
- This study establishes the fundamental spatiotemporal expression pattern of Ezh2 during mouse cochlear development.
- The detailed expression map provides a foundation for future studies exploring Ezh2's specific functions in cochlear development and potential roles in hearing.
