Specific proteins of the organ of Corti

The mammalian organ of Corti has achieved a degree of perfection unequaled in other hair cell systems. Although cellular metabolism requires the coordinated action of thousands of proteins, the physical processes underlying auditory transduction in the OC are undoubtedly mediated by a much smaller subset of these. OCP1, OCP2, and CBP-15-identified by 2D-PAGE-are apparently members of this elite class. OCP1 and OCP2 are restricted to the supporting cells of the organ of Corti and adjacent epithelia. Their distribution closely parallels the boundaries of the epithelial gap junction system, implying a role in cochlear potassium and pH homeostasis. CBP-15 was recently shown to be identical to oncomodulin, the mammalian beta-parvalbumin, heretofore documented only in the placenta and neoplasms. Expression of this small calcium-binding protein in the OC is restricted to the outer hair cells, where it may function as a calcium-dependent regulatory protein.