Math1 regulates development of the sensory epithelium in the mammalian cochlea.
Nat Neurosci. 2004-11-07; 7(12): 1310-1318
DOI: 10.1038/nn1349
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1. Nat Neurosci. 2004 Dec;7(12):1310-8. Epub 2004 Nov 7.
Math1 regulates development of the sensory epithelium in the mammalian cochlea.
Woods C(1), Montcouquiol M, Kelley MW.
Author information:
(1)Section on Developmental Neuroscience, National Institute on Deafness and
other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Porter Neuroscience
Research Center, Building 35, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
The transcription factor Math1 (encoded by the gene Atoh1, also called Math1) is
required for the formation of mechanosensory hair cells in the inner ear;
however, its specific molecular role is unknown. Here we show that absence of
Math1 in mice results in a complete disruption of formation of the sensory
epithelium of the cochlea, including the development of both hair cells and
associated supporting cells. In addition, ectopic expression of Math1 in
nonsensory regions of the cochlea is sufficient to induce the formation of
sensory clusters that contain both hair cells and supporting cells. The formation
of these clusters is dependent on inhibitory interactions mediated, most
probably, through the Notch pathway, and on inductive interactions that recruit
cells to develop as supporting cells through a pathway independent of Math1.
These results show that Math1 functions in the developing cochlea to initiate
both inductive and inhibitory signals that regulate the overall formation of the
sensory epithelia.
DOI: 10.1038/nn1349
PMID: 15543141 [Indexed for MEDLINE]