Quantification of TECTA and DFNA5 expression in the developing mouse cochlea

TECTA and DFNA5 are the mouse orthologues of the human deafness-associated genes TECTA and DFNA5. To determine how expression of these genes is regula ted during development, relative mRNA abundance was examined in mice by non radioactive RT-PCR. TECTA mRNA was detected on embryonic day 15 (E15), incr eased to its highest level on postnatal day 3 (P3) and then dramatically de creased by P15. Low levels persisted (adulthood, P45 to 67) with mean mRNA abundance after P15 less than 25% of P3 levels. DFNA5 mRNA expression was c onstant throughout these time points. These results imply that TECTA is tra nscribed at a particularly high level during tectorial membrane morphogenes is. In contrast, DFNA5 is present in both the developing and mature cochlea . NeuroReport 12:3223-3226 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.