Netrin-1 as a guidance molecule in the postnatal rat cochlea

• Published in: Hearing research Vol. 199; no. 1; pp. 117 - 123
• Main Authors: Gillespie, Lisa N., Marzella, Phillip L., Clark, Graeme M., Crook, Jeremy M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aging - metabolism; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Axon guidance; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Cell Adhesion Molecules - analysis; Cell Adhesion Molecules - physiology; Cochlea - chemistry; Cochlea - growth & development; Cochlea - physiology; DCC; Ear and associated structures. Auditory pathways and centers. Hearing. Vocal organ. Phonation. Sound production. Echolocation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - physiology; Nerve Growth Factors - analysis; Nerve Growth Factors - physiology; Netrin-1; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Spinal Cord - chemistry; Spiral Ganglion - metabolism; Spiral ganglion neurons; Tumor Suppressor Proteins - analysis; Tumor Suppressor Proteins - physiology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Spiral ganglion neurons; Axon guidance; Netrin-1; DCC; Spiral ganglion; Peptides; Rat; Synaptogenesis; Innervation; Rodentia; Axon; Postnatal development; Inner ear; Organ of hearing; Ganglion neuron; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Cochlea; Development; Age; Growth factor
• ISSN: 0378-5955; 1878-5891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2004.07.004

During synaptogenesis a number of growth factors and peptides control the guidance of auditory neuron (spiral ganglion neuron, SGN) axons to their target cells. Furthermore, evidence suggests that these factors exert their actions at discrete times and sites during development. This study demonstrates that the guidance molecule netrin-1 is expressed in the early postnatal rat cochlea, but shows decreasing expression with increasing age. These results suggest that netrin-1 may be involved in guiding axonal growth from SGNs for the onset of innervation, but is not required for maintenance of synaptic connections.