| First Author | Zallocchi M | Year | 2009 |
| Journal | Hear Res | Volume | 255 |
| Issue | 1-2 | Pages | 109-20 |
| PubMed ID | 19539019 | Mgi Jnum | J:151515 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:4353969 | Doi | 10.1016/j.heares.2009.06.006 |
| Citation | Zallocchi M, et al. (2009) Localization and expression of clarin-1, the Clrn1 gene product, in auditory hair cells and photoreceptors. Hear Res 255(1-2):109-20 |
| abstractText | The Usher syndrome 3A (CLRN1) gene encodes clarin-1, which is a member of the tetraspanin family of transmembrane proteins. Although identified more than 6 years ago, little is known about its localization or function in the eye and ear. We developed a polyclonal antibody that react with all clarin-1 isoforms and used it to characterize protein expression in cochlea and retina. In the cochlea, we observe clarin-1expression in the stereocilia of P0 mice, and in synaptic terminals present at the base of the auditory hair cells from E18 to P6. In the retina, clarin-1 localizes to the connecting cilia, inner segment of photoreceptors and to the ribbon synapses. RT-PCR from P0 cochlea and P28 retina show mRNAs encoding only isoforms 2 and 3. Western blots show that only isoform 2 is present in protein extracts from these same tissues. We examined clarin-1 expression in the immortomouse-derived hair cell line UB/OC-1. Only isoform 2 is expressed in UB/OC-1 at both mRNA and protein levels, suggesting this isoform is biologically relevant to hair cell function. The protein co-localizes with microtubules and post-transgolgi vesicles. The subcellular localization of clarin-1 in hair cells and photoreceptors suggests it functions at both the basal and apical poles of neurosensoriepithelia. |
