Early ear neuronal development, but not olfactory or lens development, can proceed without SOX2

SOX2 is essential for maintaining neurosensory stem cell properties, although its involvement in the early neurosensory development of cranial placodes remains unclear. To address this, we used Foxg1-Cre to conditionally delete Sox2 during eye, ear, and olfactory placode development. Foxg1-Cre mediated early deletion of Sox2 eradicates all olfactory placode development, and disrupts retinal development and invagination of the lens placode. In contrast to the lens and olfactory placodes, the ear placode invaginates and delaminates NEUROD1 positive neurons. Furthermore, we show that SOX2 is not necessary for early ear neurogenesis, since the early inner ear ganglion is formed with near normal central projections to the hindbrain and peripheral projections to the undifferentiated sensory epithelia of E11.5-12.5 ears. However, later stages of ear neurosensory development, in particular, the late forming auditory system, critically depend on the presence of SOX2. Our data establish distinct differences for SOX2 requirements among placodal sensory organs with similarities between olfactory and lens but not ear placode development, consistent with the unique neurosensory development and molecular properties of the ear.