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Mechanoelectrical transduction of adult outer hair cells studied in a gerbil hemicochlea

Nature volume 429, pages 766–770 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Sensory receptor cells of the mammalian cochlea are morphologically and functionally dichotomized. Inner hair cells transmit auditory information to the brain, whereas outer hair cells (OHC) amplify the mechanical signal, which is then transduced by inner hair cells1. Amplification by OHCs is probably mediated by their somatic motility2,3 in a mechanical feedback process. OHC motility in vivo is thought to be driven by the cell's receptor potential. The first steps towards the generation of the receptor potential are the deflection of the stereociliary bundle4, and the subsequent flow of transducer current through the mechanosensitive transducer channels located at their tips5. Quantitative relations between transducer currents and basilar membrane displacements are lacking, as well as their variation along the cochlear length. To address this, we simultaneously recorded OHC transducer currents (or receptor potentials) and basilar membrane motion in an excised and bisected cochlea, the hemicochlea6. This preparation permits recordings from adult OHCs at various cochlear locations while the basilar membrane is mechanically stimulated. Furthermore, the stereocilia are deflected by the same means of stimulation as in vivo. Here we show that asymmetrical transducer currents and receptor potentials are significantly larger than previously thought, they possess a highly restricted dynamic range and strongly depend on cochlear location.

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Figure 1: Recording from the hemicochlea.
Figure 2: OHC transducer currents evoked by basilar membrane vibration.
Figure 3: Recording of transducer currents.
Figure 4: Recording of receptor potentials.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by National Institute of Health grants to D.Z.Z.H., and to P.D.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hair Cell Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 68175, USA

    David Z. Z. He & Shuping Jia

  2. Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, 68131, USA

    David Z. Z. He

  3. Auditory Physiology Laboratory (The Hugh Knowles Center), Depts. of Neurobiology and Physiology, and Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA

    Peter Dallos

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  1. David Z. Z. He
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  3. Peter Dallos
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Correspondence to David Z. Z. He.

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He, D., Jia, S. & Dallos, P. Mechanoelectrical transduction of adult outer hair cells studied in a gerbil hemicochlea. Nature 429, 766–770 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02591

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