Elsevier

Hearing Research

Volume 77, Issues 1–2, 15 June 1994, Pages 207-215
Hearing Research

Structural basis for mechanical transduction in the frog vestibular sensory apparatus: II. The role of microtubules in the organization of the cuticular plate

https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-5955(94)90268-2Get rights and content

Abstract

The actin matrix of the cuticular plate, which supports the sensory stereocilia bundle, is coupled to the axial cytoskeleton of the hair cell through a well defined microtubule columnar framework. A collection of axial microtubules in a columnar organization penetrate deep into the dense actin matrix of the cuticular plate. Each microtubule displays at the end a 300–500 nm long fuzzy cap that enmeshes with the actin matrix of the cuticular plate. The microtubule associated proteins MAP-1A and MAP-IB were localized by confocal immunofluorescence to the point of microtubule insertion in the cuticular plate. These proteins arc likely components of the microtubule capping structure and may mediate the interaction of the microtubules with the actin matrix. The structural interaction of the microtubules with the cuticular plate provides important mechanical coupling of the transduction apparatus to the axial cytoskeleton of the hair cell.

Reference (34)

  • AllenR. et al.

    Gliding movement and bi-directional transport along single native microtubules from squid axoplasm. Evidence for an active role of microtubules in cytoplasm transport

    J. Cell Biol.

    (1985)
  • BajerA.S. et al.

    Spindle dynamics and chromosome movements

    Int. Rev. Cytol. (Suppl)

    (1972)
  • BrayD.

    Cell Movements

    (1992)
  • DrenkhahnD. et al.

    Organization of the actin filament cytoskeleton in the intestinal brush border: a quantitative and qualitative immunoelectron microscopy study

    J. Cell Biol.

    (1988)
  • EvansB.N. et al.

    Stereocilia displacement induced somatic motility of cochlear outer hair cells

  • FavreD. et al.

    Organization and density of microtubules in the vestibular sensory cells in the cat

    Acta Otolaryngol.

    (1983)
  • FlockA. et al.

    Actin filaments in sensory hairs of inner ear receptor cells

    J. Cell Biol.

    (1977)
  • Cited by (0)

    View full text