豚鼠耳蜗螺旋器细胞微管蛋白的表达

Distribution of tubulin in the hair cells of the guinea pig cochlea

目的研究正常生理状态下微管蛋白(tubulin)的结构特征和分布规律。方法采用免疫荧光标记技术,借助激光扫描共聚焦显微镜,逐层观察耳蜗毛细胞中微管蛋白的分布特点。结果豚鼠耳蜗内毛细胞、外毛细胞和支持细胞内都有微管蛋白的特异性染色,支持细胞内微管蛋白的分布自基底转到顶转逐渐减弱(纵向梯度),豚鼠耳蜗感觉细胞的微管蛋白表达则无此特征,外毛细胞静纤毛中微管蛋白着色明亮,三排"V"形清晰可见,这与以往结果不同。结论豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞中微管蛋白的结构和分布无差异,支持细胞内的分布存在差异。表明局部结构的梯度决定局部功能的差异。

OBJECTIVE To investigate the distribution of tubulin along the organ of Corti. METHODS The guinea pig cochleae were stained with monoclonal antibody against tubulin.The hair cells were studied in surface specimens of the organ of Corti with laser scanning confocal microscope.RESULTS In the serial optical sections,the monoclonal antibody to tubulin stained the IHCs,OHCs and supporting cells.The meshwork showed longitudinal gradients decreasing in intensity from basal turn towards the apical turn in SCs.The stereocilia of OHCs showed a strong staining,which was different from previous studies.CONCLUSION The differences in the distribution and organization of tubulin among the hair cells and turns of cochlea probably reflect in their mechanisms of function.