A gene cadre orchestrates the normal development of sensory and non-sensory cells in the inner ear, segregating the cochlea with a distinct tonotopic sound frequency map, similar brain projection, and five vestibular end-organs. However, the role of genes driving the ear development is largely unknown. Here, we show double deletion of the Iroquois homeobox 3 and 5 transcription factors (Irx3/5 DKO) leads to the fusion of the saccule and the cochlear base. The overlying otoconia and tectorial membranes are absent in the Irx3/5 DKO inner ear, and the primary auditory neurons project fibers to both the saccule and cochlear hair cells. The central neuronal projections from the cochlear apex-base contour are not fully segregated into a dorsal and ventral innervation in the Irx3/5 DKO cochlear nucleus, obliterating the characteristic tonotopic auditory map. Additionally, Irx3/5 deletion reveals a pronounced cochlear-apex-vestibular "vestibular-cochlear" nerve (VCN) bilateral connection that is less noticeable in wild-type control mice. Moreover, the incomplete segregation of apex and base projections that expands fibers to connect with vestibular nuclei. The results suggest the mammalian cochlear apex is a derived lagena reminiscent of sarcopterygians. Thus, Irx3 and 5 are potential evolutionary branch-point genes necessary for balance-sound segregation, which fused into a saccule-cochlea organization.

• Klíčová slova
• brainstem, cochlea, development, tectorial membrane,
• MeSH
• homeodoménové proteiny * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• kochlea * fyziologie   MeSH
• myši knockoutované * MeSH
• myši MeSH
• sakulus a utrikulus * fyziologie   MeSH
• sluchová dráha fyziologie   MeSH
• transkripční faktory * genetika   metabolismus   nedostatek   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• homeodoménové proteiny * MeSH
• Irx3 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• Irx5 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktory * MeSH

A cardinal feature of the auditory pathway is frequency selectivity, represented in a tonotopic map from the cochlea to the cortex. The molecular determinants of the auditory frequency map are unknown. Here, we discovered that the transcription factor ISL1 regulates the molecular and cellular features of auditory neurons, including the formation of the spiral ganglion and peripheral and central processes that shape the tonotopic representation of the auditory map. We selectively knocked out Isl1 in auditory neurons using Neurod1Cre strategies. In the absence of Isl1, spiral ganglion neurons migrate into the central cochlea and beyond, and the cochlear wiring is profoundly reduced and disrupted. The central axons of Isl1 mutants lose their topographic projections and segregation at the cochlear nucleus. Transcriptome analysis of spiral ganglion neurons shows that Isl1 regulates neurogenesis, axonogenesis, migration, neurotransmission-related machinery, and synaptic communication patterns. We show that peripheral disorganization in the cochlea affects the physiological properties of hearing in the midbrain and auditory behavior. Surprisingly, auditory processing features are preserved despite the significant hearing impairment, revealing central auditory pathway resilience and plasticity in Isl1 mutant mice. Mutant mice have a reduced acoustic startle reflex, altered prepulse inhibition, and characteristics of compensatory neural hyperactivity centrally. Our findings show that ISL1 is one of the obligatory factors required to sculpt auditory structural and functional tonotopic maps. Still, upon Isl1 deletion, the ensuing central plasticity of the auditory pathway does not suffice to overcome developmentally induced peripheral dysfunction of the cochlea.

• Klíčová slova
• auditory behavior, auditory maps, auditory nuclei, inferior colliculus, spiral ganglion neurons,
• MeSH
• ganglion spirale * enzymologie   MeSH
• kochlea embryologie   inervace   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• neurogeneze * genetika   MeSH
• nucleus cochlearis * embryologie   MeSH
• proteiny s homeodoménou LIM * genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• sluchová dráha * embryologie   MeSH
• transkripční faktory * genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• vláskové buňky * fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Názvy látek
• insulin gene enhancer binding protein Isl-1 MeSH Prohlížeč
• proteiny s homeodoménou LIM * MeSH
• transkripční faktory * MeSH

We review the molecular basis of three related basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) genes (Neurog1, Neurod1, and Atoh1) and upstream regulators Eya1/Six1, Sox2, Pax2, Gata3, Fgfr2b, Foxg1, and Lmx1a/b during the development of spiral ganglia, cochlear nuclei, and cochlear hair cells. Neuronal development requires early expression of Neurog1, followed by its downstream target Neurod1, which downregulates Atoh1 expression. In contrast, hair cells and cochlear nuclei critically depend on Atoh1 and require Neurod1 and Neurog1 expression for various aspects of development. Several experiments show a partial uncoupling of Atoh1/Neurod1 (spiral ganglia and cochlea) and Atoh1/Neurog1/Neurod1 (cochlear nuclei). In this review, we integrate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the development of auditory system and provide novel insights into the restoration of hearing loss, beyond the limited generation of lost sensory neurons and hair cells.

• Klíčová slova
• bHLH genes, cochlea development, cochlear nuclei projections, neuronal differentiation,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

We review the molecular basis of several transcription factors (Eya1, Sox2), including the three related genes coding basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH; see abbreviations) proteins (Neurog1, Neurod1, Atoh1) during the development of spiral ganglia, cochlear nuclei, and cochlear hair cells. Neuronal development requires Neurog1, followed by its downstream target Neurod1, to cross-regulate Atoh1 expression. In contrast, hair cells and cochlear nuclei critically depend on Atoh1 and require Neurod1 expression for interactions with Atoh1. Upregulation of Atoh1 following Neurod1 loss changes some vestibular neurons' fate into "hair cells", highlighting the significant interplay between the bHLH genes. Further work showed that replacing Atoh1 by Neurog1 rescues some hair cells from complete absence observed in Atoh1 null mutants, suggesting that bHLH genes can partially replace one another. The inhibition of Atoh1 by Neurod1 is essential for proper neuronal cell fate, and in the absence of Neurod1, Atoh1 is upregulated, resulting in the formation of "intraganglionic" HCs. Additional genes, such as Eya1/Six1, Sox2, Pax2, Gata3, Fgfr2b, Foxg1, and Lmx1a/b, play a role in the auditory system. Finally, both Lmx1a and Lmx1b genes are essential for the cochlear organ of Corti, spiral ganglion neuron, and cochlear nuclei formation. We integrate the mammalian auditory system development to provide comprehensive insights beyond the limited perception driven by singular investigations of cochlear neurons, cochlear hair cells, and cochlear nuclei. A detailed analysis of gene expression is needed to understand better how upstream regulators facilitate gene interactions and mammalian auditory system development.

• Klíčová slova
• bHLH genes, cochlea hair cells, cochlear nuclei, neuronal differentiation, spiral ganglion neurons, transcription factors,
• MeSH
• kochlea cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neurogeneze genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• transkripční faktory bHLH genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• transkripční faktory genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• vláskové buňky metabolismus   MeSH
• vývojová regulace genové exprese MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• transkripční faktory bHLH MeSH
• transkripční faktory MeSH

The programming of cell fate by transcription factors requires precise regulation of their time and level of expression. The LIM-homeodomain transcription factor Islet1 (Isl1) is involved in cell-fate specification of motor neurons, and it may play a similar role in the inner ear. In order to study its role in the regulation of vestibulo-motor development, we investigated a transgenic mouse expressing Isl1 under the Pax2 promoter control (Tg +/- ). The transgenic mice show altered level, time, and place of expression of Isl1 but are viable. However, Tg +/- mice exhibit hyperactivity, including circling behavior, and progressive age-related decline in hearing, which has been reported previously. Here, we describe the molecular and morphological changes in the cerebellum and vestibular system that may cause the hyperactivity of Tg +/- mice. The transgene altered the formation of folia in the cerebellum, the distribution of calretinin labeled unipolar brush cells, and reduced the size of the cerebellum, inferior colliculus, and saccule. Age-related progressive reduction of calbindin expression was detected in Purkinje cells in the transgenic cerebella. The hyperactivity of Tg +/- mice is reduced upon the administration of picrotoxin, a non-competitive channel blocker for the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor chloride channels. This suggests that the overexpression of Isl1 significantly affects the functions of GABAergic neurons. We demonstrate that the overexpression of Isl1 affects the development and function of the cerebello-vestibular system, resulting in hyperactivity.

• Klíčová slova
• Age-related deterioration of Purkinje cells, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Calcium homeostasis, Cerebellum, Foliation defects, GABA signaling, Hyperactivity, Islet1 transcription factor, Purkinje cells, Transgenic mouse, Vestibular system,
• MeSH
• hyperkineze metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• mozeček metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• myši transgenní MeSH
• myši MeSH
• proteiny s homeodoménou LIM biosyntéza   MeSH
• transkripční faktor PAX2 biosyntéza   MeSH
• transkripční faktory biosyntéza   MeSH
• vestibulární aparát metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• insulin gene enhancer binding protein Isl-1 MeSH Prohlížeč
• Pax2 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• proteiny s homeodoménou LIM MeSH
• transkripční faktor PAX2 MeSH
• transkripční faktory MeSH

The development, maturation, and maintenance of the inner ear are governed by temporal and spatial expression cascades of transcription factors that form a gene regulatory network. ISLET1 (ISL1) may be one of the major players in this cascade, and in order to study its role in the regulation of inner ear development, we produced a transgenic mouse overexpressing Isl1 under the Pax2 promoter. Pax2-regulated ISL1 overexpression increases the embryonic ISL1(+) domain and induces accelerated nerve fiber extension and branching in E12.5 embryos. Despite these gains in early development, the overexpression of ISL1 impairs the maintenance and function of hair cells of the organ of Corti. Mutant mice exhibit hyperactivity, circling behavior, and progressive age-related decline in hearing functions, which is reflected in reduced otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) followed by elevated hearing thresholds. The reduction of the amplitude of DPOAEs in transgenic mice was first detected at 1 month of age. By 6-9 months of age, DPOAEs completely disappeared, suggesting a functional inefficiency of outer hair cells (OHCs). The timing of DPOAE reduction coincides with the onset of the deterioration of cochlear efferent terminals. In contrast to these effects on efferents, we only found a moderate loss of OHCs and spiral ganglion neurons. For the first time, our results show that the genetic alteration of the medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent system induces an early onset of age-related hearing loss. Thus, the neurodegeneration of the MOC system could be a contributing factor to the pathology of age-related hearing loss.

• Klíčová slova
• Age-related hearing loss, Islet1 transcription factor, Medial olivocochlear efferent system, Outer hair cells, Transgenic mouse,
• MeSH
• analýza přežití MeSH
• embryo savčí metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• ganglion spirale patologie   MeSH
• kochlea inervace   patologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• messenger RNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• molekulární motory metabolismus   MeSH
• myši transgenní MeSH
• nedoslýchavost patologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• neurony eferentní MeSH
• otoakustické emise spontánní MeSH
• počet buněk MeSH
• proteiny s homeodoménou LIM metabolismus   MeSH
• sluchový práh MeSH
• stárnutí patologie   MeSH
• transkripční faktor PAX2 metabolismus   MeSH
• transkripční faktory metabolismus   MeSH
• vnější vláskové buňky patologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• insulin gene enhancer binding protein Isl-1 MeSH Prohlížeč
• messenger RNA MeSH
• molekulární motory MeSH
• Pax2 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• Pres protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• proteiny s homeodoménou LIM MeSH
• transkripční faktor PAX2 MeSH
• transkripční faktory MeSH