Dicer Deletion in the Ear Can Cut Most Neurons and Their Innervation of Hair Cells to Project to the Ear and the Brainstem

Ebenezer N Yamoah; Gabriela Pavlinkova; Jeong Han Lee; Jennifer Kersigo; Marsha L Pierce; Bernd Fritzsch

doi:10.3390/ijms27010539

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Dicer Deletion in the Ear Can Cut Most Neurons and Their Innervation of Hair Cells to Project to the Ear and the Brainstem

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Dicer Deletion in the Ear Can Cut Most Neurons and Their Innervation of Hair Cells to Project to the Ear and the Brainstem

Ebenezer N Yamoah, Gabriela Pavlinkova, Jeong Han Lee, Jennifer Kersigo, Marsha L Pierce and Bernd Fritzsch

International journal of molecular sciences, Vol.27(1), 539

01/05/2026

DOI: 10.3390/ijms27010539

PMCID: PMC12787206

PMID: 41516414

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Abstract

Dicer is crucial for the generation of microRNAs (miRNAs), which are essential for regulating gene expression and keeping neuronal health. Dicer's conditional deletion cuts all spiral ganglion neurons but spares a small fraction of vestibular ganglion neurons, innervating the utricle and part of the saccule. Hair cells develop in the utricle, saccule, posterior crista, and the cochlea in ; . Cochlear hair cells develop at the base and expand the OHC and IHC in the middle, or split into a base/middle and the apex. In contrast, ; cuts all canal cristae and cochlea hair cells, leaving a reduced utricle and an exceedingly small saccule. Likewise, ; shows no cochlear hair cells and is absent in the horizontal and reduced in the posterior crista. In contrast, the utricle, saccule, and anterior crista are nearly normal, underscoring the intricate regulatory networks involved in hair cell and neuronal development. The central projections have been described as the topology of various null deletions. Still, without spiral ganglion neurons, fibers from Dicer null mice navigate to the cochlear nuclei and expand into the vestibular nuclei to innervate the caudal brainstem. Beyond a ramification around the CN, no fibers expand to reach the cerebellum, likely due to and that cut these neurons. Genetic alterations, such as Dicer deletion, can lead to hearing loss and impairments in auditory signal processing, illustrating the critical role of microRNAs in the development and function of auditory and vestibular neurons. Further studies on this topic could help in understanding potential therapeutic targets for hearing loss associated with neuronal degradation of miRNA.

Animals

Brain Stem - metabolism

DEAD-box RNA Helicases - genetics

DEAD-box RNA Helicases - metabolism

Forkhead Transcription Factors - genetics

Forkhead Transcription Factors - metabolism

Gene Deletion

Hair Cells, Auditory - metabolism

Mice

Mice, Knockout

MicroRNAs - genetics

MicroRNAs - metabolism

Neurons - metabolism

Ribonuclease III - genetics

Ribonuclease III - metabolism

Spiral Ganglion - metabolism

Details

Title: Subtitle: Dicer Deletion in the Ear Can Cut Most Neurons and Their Innervation of Hair Cells to Project to the Ear and the Brainstem
Creators: Ebenezer N Yamoah - University of Arizona
Gabriela Pavlinkova - Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biotechnology
Jeong Han Lee - University of Arizona
Jennifer Kersigo - University of Iowa
Marsha L Pierce - Midwestern University
Bernd Fritzsch - University of Nebraska Medical Center
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: International journal of molecular sciences, Vol.27(1), 539
DOI: 10.3390/ijms27010539
PMID: 41516414
PMCID: PMC12787206
NLM abbreviation: Int J Mol Sci
ISSN: 1422-0067
eISSN: 1422-0067
Publisher: MDPI
Grant note: AG060504 / NIA NIH HHS AG051443 / NIA NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 01/05/2026
Academic Unit: Biology; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center
Record Identifier: 9985114164002771

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