PUBLICATION

Genetic analysis of vertebrate sensory hair cell mechanosensation: the zebrafish circler mutants

Authors
Nicolson, T., Rüsch, A., Friedrich, R.W., Granato, M., Ruppersberg, J.P., and Nüsslein-Volhard, C.
ID
ZDB-PUB-980319-3
Date
1998
Source
Neuron   20: 271-283 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Friedrich, Rainer, Granato, Michael, Nicolson, Teresa, Nüsslein-Volhard, Christiane
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Air Sacs/physiology
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Electrophysiology
  • Hair Cells, Vestibular/growth & development
  • Hair Cells, Vestibular/physiology*
  • Larva/cytology
  • Lighting
  • Mechanoreceptors/physiology*
  • Mutation
  • Phenotype
  • Reflex/physiology
  • Reflex, Startle/physiology
  • Zebrafish/genetics*
PubMed
9491988 Full text @ Neuron
Abstract
The molecular basis of sensory hair cell mechanotransduction is largely unknown. In order to identify genes that are essential for mechanosensory hair cell function, we characterized a group of recently isolated zebrafish motility mutants. These mutants are defective in balance and swim in circles but have no obvious morphological defects. We examined the mutants using calcium imaging of acoustic-vibrational and tactile escape responses, high resolution microscopy of sensory neuroepithelia in live larvae, and recordings of extracellular hair cell potentials (microphonics). Based on the analyses, we have identified several classes of genes. Mutations in sputnik and mariner affect hair bundle integrity. Mutant astronaut and cosmonaut hair cells have relatively normal microphonics and thus appear to affect events downstream of mechanotransduction. Mutant orbiter, mercury, and gemini larvae have normal hair cell morphology and yet do not respond to acoustic-vibrational stimuli. The microphonics of lateral line hair cells of orbiter, mercury, and gemini larvae are absent or strongly reduced. Therefore, these genes may encode components of the transduction apparatus.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping