Xn. Zhou et al., Expression of a voltage-dependent potassium channel protein (Kv3.1) in theembryonic development of the auditory system, J NEUROSC R, 65(1), 2001, pp. 24-37
The present study traces the development of a voltage-dependent potassium c
hannel protein (Kv3.1) in the avian homologue of the cochlear nucleus, in t
he cochleovestibular ganglion, and in the otic epithelium from early develo
pmental stages until near hatching. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies to
the carboxy terminus (recognizing the Kv3.1b splice variant) and to the am
ino terminus (recognizing either form of Kv3.1) was used on Hamburger-Hamil
ton-staged chicken embryos. There were three periods in the relative levels
of immunostaining in these regions. Early (E2-6), when precursor cells pro
liferate, migrate, and form axons, there was staining when using either ant
ibody. In the middle period (E6-11), marked by hair cell differentiation, d
endritic growth, and early synapse formation, staining levels decreased. In
the late period (E11-19), when auditory function begins, staining increase
d rapidly, especially for Kv3.1b. Early Kv3.1 expression occurs in neuronal
and hair cell precursors before they differentiate or function. Later, in
the otic epithelium, a high level of Kv3.1 in cilia may precede or coincide
with the onset of hair cell function. In neurons, some features of its loc
alization correlate with axon outgrowth and synapse formation, others with
the onset of neural activity and function. J. Neurosci. Res. 65: 24-37, 200
1. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.