Auditory ganglion source of Sonic hedgehog regulates timing of cell cycle exit and differentiation of mammalian cochlear hair cells

Jinwoong Bok, Colleen Zenczak, Chan Ho Hwang, Doris K. Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neural precursor cells of the central nervous system undergo successive temporal waves of terminal division, each of which is soon followed by the onset of cell differentiation. The organ of Corti in the mammalian cochlea develops differently, such that precursors at the apex are the first to exit from the cell cycle but the last to begin differentiating as mechanosensory hair cells. Using a tissuespecific knockout approach in mice, we show that this unique temporal pattern of sensory cell development requires that the adjacent auditory (spiral) ganglion serve as a source of the signaling molecule Sonic hedgehog (Shh). In the absence of this signaling, the cochlear duct is shortened, sensory hair cell precursors exit from the cell cycle prematurely, and hair cell differentiation closely follows cell cycle exit in a similar apical-to-basal direction. The dynamic relationship between the restriction of Shh expression in the developing spiral ganglion and its proximity to regions of the growing cochlear duct dictates the timing of terminal mitosis of hair cell precursors and their subsequent differentiation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)13869-13874
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume110
Issue number34
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Atoh1
  • Morphogenesis
  • Tonotopy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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