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Sox2 signaling in prosensory domain specification and subsequent hair cell differentiation in the developing cochlea
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Sox2 signaling in prosensory domain specification and subsequent hair cell differentiation in the developing cochlea

Alain Dabdoub, Chandrakala Puligilla, Jennifer M Jones, Bernd Fritzsch, Kathryn S. E Cheah, Larysa H Pevny and Matthew W Kelley
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.105(47), pp.18396-18401
11/25/2008
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0808175105
PMCID: PMC2587543
PMID: 19011097
url
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0808175105View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Sox2 is a high-mobility transcription factor that is one of the earliest markers of developing inner ear prosensory domains. In humans, mutations in SOX2 cause sensorineural hearing loss and a loss of function study in mice showed that Sox2 is required for prosensory formation in the cochlea. However, the specific roles of Sox2 have not been determined. Here we illustrate a dynamic role of Sox2 as an early permissive factor in prosensory domain formation followed by a mutually antagonistic relationship with Atoh1, a bHLH protein necessary for hair cell development. We demonstrate that decreased levels of Sox2 result in precocious hair cell differentiation and an over production of inner hair cells and that these effects are likely mediated through an antagonistic interaction between Sox2 and the bHLH molecule Atoh1. Using gain- and loss-of-function experiments we provide evidence for the molecular pathway responsible for the formation of the cochlear prosensory domain. Sox2 expression is promoted by Notch signaling and Prox1, a homeobox transcription factor, is a downstream target of Sox2. These results demonstrate crucial and diverse roles for Sox2 in the development, specification, and maintenance of sensory cells within the cochlea.
Biological Sciences development HMG box inner ear organ of Corti bHLH

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