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The modulation of cell adhesion molecule expression and intercellular junction formation in the developing avian
Y Raphael1, T Volk, K L Crossin
1Department of Chemical Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Developmental Biology
|July 1, 1988
Summary
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), including A-CAM and L-CAM, are crucial for developing avian inner ear structures. Their expression patterns change, forming specialized junctions in sensory and nonsensory regions, with adherens junctions persisting in mature hair cells.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cell biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The vertebrate inner ear's membranous labyrinth develops from the otocyst.
- Mature inner ear epithelia exhibit complex cytoarchitecture with highly differentiated cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate adherens-type intercellular junctions in avian inner ear development.
- To analyze the expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), specifically A-CAM and L-CAM, during this process.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of avian inner ear tissues during development.
- Observation of cell adhesion molecule expression patterns and intercellular junction formation.
Main Results:
- A-CAM and L-CAM are coexpressed in the early otocyst.
- CAM expression is modulated with epithelial differentiation, showing reciprocal patterns in sensory (A-CAM dominant) and nonsensory (L-CAM dominant) areas.
- Adherens junctions are present throughout development, while desmosomes are transient, disappearing from hair cells but remaining in other inner ear cells.
Conclusions:
- Adherens-type junctions are the sole defined cytoskeleton-bound junctions in mature hair cells.
- CAMs play a significant role in the structural organization and differentiation of the developing avian inner ear.