Summary
The distribution of tropomyosin, actin and tubulin in the supporting cells of the organ of Corti was studied by immunofluorescent localization of antibodies to these proteins. Tropomyosin colocalizes with actin and tubulin in the regions of the tunnel pillar and Deiters cells where actin microfilaments and microtubules had previously been observed ultrastructurally. Despite the implications of the presence of antiparallel actin filaments in the supporting cells, the presence of tropomyosin and the absence of myosin suggest that the role of tropomyosin may be to confer rigidity to the actin filaments. Thus the primary function of the cytoskeletal proteins in the supporting cells may be structural.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bernstein BW, Bamburg JR (1982) Tropomyosin binding to F-actin protects the F-actin from disassembly by brain actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF). Cell Motil 2:1–8
Drenckhahn D, Prinz M, Schafer T (1984) Myosin, actin and associated proteins in the vertebrate auditory and vestibular organs. Immunocytochemical and immunoblotting studies. Abstracts of the Midwinter Meeting, Assoc Res Otolaryngol 7:139–140
Engström B, Flock A, Borg E (1983) Ultrastructural studies of stereocilia in noise-exposed rabbits. Hear Res 12:251–264
Flock A (1983) Hair cells, receptors with a motor capacity? In: Klink R, Hartman R (eds) Hearing — Physiological Bases and Psychophysics. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 1–6
Flock A, Bretscher A, Weber K (1982) Immunohistochemical localization of several cytoskeletal proteins in inner ear sensory and supporting cells. Hear Res 7:75–90
Fujime S (1972) Quasi-elastic scattering of laser light. Adv Biophys 3:1–43
Lazarides E (1976) Two general classes of cytoplasmic actin filaments in tissue cultured cells: the role of tropomyosin. J Supramol Struct 5:531–563
Lemanski LF (1979) Role of tropomyosin in actin filament formation in embryonic salamander heart cells. J Cell Biol 82:227–238
Leonardi CL, Warren RH, Rubin RW (1982) Lack of tropomyosin correlates with absence of stress fibers in transformed rat kidney cells. Biochem Biophys Acta 720:154–162
Slepecky N, Chamberlain SC (1983) Distribution and polarity of actin in inner ear supporting cells. Hear Res 10:359–370
Slepecky N, Chamberlain SC (1985) Immunoelectron microscopic and immunofluorescent localization of cytoskeletal and muscle-like contractile proteins in inner ear sensory hair cells. Hear Res 20:245–260
Zenner HP (1981) Cytoskeletal and muscle-like elements in cochlear hair cells. Arch Otolrayngol 230:81–92
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Slepecky, N., Chamberlain, S.C. Tropomyosin co-localizes with actin microfilaments and microtubules within supporting cells of the inner ear. Cell Tissue Res. 248, 63–66 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01239963
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01239963