Localization of Glucose Transporter 10 to Hair Cells' Cuticular Plate in the Mouse Inner Ear

This study aimed to investigate the localization pattern of glucose transporters (Gluts) in mouse cochlea. Genome-wide gene expression analysis using CodeLink™ bioarrays indicated that Glut1 and Glut10 were highly expressed (~10-fold) in mouse cochlea compared with the other members of glucose transporters (Glut2-6, Glut8, and Glut9). Semiquantitative RT-PCR and western blotting confirmed that Glut10 expression in mouse cochlea was high throughout the embryogenesis and postnatal development. Immunofluorescent staining showed that Glut10 protein was localized in the cuticular plate of the outer and inner cochlear hair cells and in the ampullary crest of the vestibular system. Based on these results, it was supposed that Glut10 may contribute to glucose transport from the endolymph to the hair cells across the cuticular plate.