Physiological and Molecular Biological Studies on Mechanisms underlying Acquisition of Audition during Development

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25250002
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Oda Yoichi 名古屋大学, 理学研究科, 名誉教授 (00144444)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 坂内 博子 名古屋大学, 理学(系)研究科(研究院), 講師 (40332340)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: ゼブラフィッシュ / 内耳 / 有毛細胞 / 耳石 / マウスナー細胞 / カリウムチャネル / 網様体脊髄路ニューロン / 特徴抽出

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the present study we examined physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying acquisition of audition during development by using zebrafish embryo and larva. We showed first that otolish size in the larval ear is crucial to differentially sense auditory and vestibular information. Second, Mauthner cell among the hindbrain reticulospinal neurons receiving auditory nerve inputs acquires single firing property during early development, while other neurons keep regular spiking in response to membrane depolarization. Third, expression of two types of low threshold potassium channels plays a key role in the Mauthner cell's acquisition of the unique firing property.

Free Research Field

神経科学