Physical and functional interaction between protocadherin 15 and myosin VIIa in mechanosensory hair cells

J Neurosci. 2006 Feb 15;26(7):2060-71. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4251-05.2006.

Abstract

Hair cells of the mammalian inner ear are the mechanoreceptors that convert sound-induced vibrations into electrical signals. The molecular mechanisms that regulate the development and function of the mechanically sensitive organelle of hair cells, the hair bundle, are poorly defined. We link here two gene products that have been associated with deafness and hair bundle defects, protocadherin 15 (PCDH15) and myosin VIIa (MYO7A), into a common pathway. We show that PCDH15 binds to MYO7A and that both proteins are expressed in an overlapping pattern in hair bundles. PCDH15 localization is perturbed in MYO7A-deficient mice, whereas MYO7A localization is perturbed in PCDH15-deficient mice. Like MYO7A, PCDH15 is critical for the development of hair bundles in cochlear and vestibular hair cells, controlling hair bundle morphogenesis and polarity. Cochlear and vestibular hair cells from PCDH15-deficient mice also show defects in mechanotransduction. Together, our findings suggest that PCDH15 and MYO7A cooperate to regulate the development and function of the mechanically sensitive hair bundle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadherin Related Proteins
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Dyneins / genetics
  • Dyneins / physiology*
  • Glutathione Transferase / genetics
  • Hair Cells, Auditory / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Myosin VIIa
  • Myosins / genetics
  • Myosins / physiology*
  • Protein Precursors / genetics
  • Protein Precursors / physiology*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • CDHR15 protein, mouse
  • Cadherin Related Proteins
  • Cadherins
  • MYO7A protein, human
  • Myo7a protein, mouse
  • Myosin VIIa
  • Protein Precursors
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Myosins
  • Dyneins