DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOUSE INNER-EAR AND ORIGIN OF ITS SENSORY ORGANS

The molecular mechanisms dictating the morphogenesis and differentiati on of the mammalian inner ear are largely unknown. To better elucidate the normal development of this organ, two approaches were taken. Firs t, the membranous labyrinths of mouse inner ears ranging from 10.25 to 17 d postcoitum (dpc) were filled with paint to reveal their gross de velopment. Particular attention was focused on the developing utricle, saccule, and cochlea. Second, we used bone morphogenetic protein 4 (B MP4) and lunatic fringe (Fng) as molecular markers to identify the ori gin of the sensory structures. Our data showed that BMP4 was an early marker for the superior, lateral, and posterior cristae, whereas Fng s erved as an early marker for the macula utriculi, macula sacculi, and the sensory portion of the cochlea. The posterior crista was the first organ to appear at 11.5 dpc and was followed by the superior crista, the lateral crista, and the macula utriculi at 12 dpc. The macula sacc uli and the cochlea were present at 12 dpc but became distinguishable from each other by 13 dpc. Based on the gene expression patterns, the anterior and lateral cristae may share a common origin. Similarly, thr ee sensory organs, the macula utriculi, macula sacculi, and cochlea, s eem to arise from a single region of the otocyst.