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Meis2 Is Required for Inner Ear Formation and Proper Morphogenesis of the Cochlea
María Beatriz Durán Alonso1, Victor Vendrell1, Iris López-Hernández1
1Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valladolid, Spain.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|June 14, 2021
Summary
Meis2 is crucial for vertebrate inner ear development, controlling otic vesicle formation and cochlear duct coiling. Its absence severely impacts inner ear size and structure.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Meis genes regulate central and peripheral nervous system development.
- The specific role of Meis2 in inner ear formation is largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of the Meis2 gene in vertebrate inner ear induction and cochlear development.
- To identify Meis2 target genes involved in cochlear morphogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Global and tissue-specific Meis2 gene inactivation in mice.
- Analysis of otic vesicle and cochlear duct morphology.
- Transcriptome and ChIP-seq analyses in Meis2 mutants and otic cell lines.
Main Results:
- Meis2 global knockout mice exhibit significantly reduced otic vesicle size.
- Hindbrain-specific Meis2 expression is essential for otic vesicle formation.
- Inner ear-specific Meis2 inactivation results in abnormal cochlear duct coiling.
- Candidate Meis2 target genes involved in cochlear morphogenesis were identified.
Conclusions:
- Meis2 is indispensable for proper inner ear formation and cochlear duct coiling.
- Meis2 acts in both inductive and developmental stages of the inner ear.
- This study provides insights into the genetic network regulating cochlear development.
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