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Emilin 2 promotes the mechanical gradient of the cochlear basilar membrane and resolution of frequencies in sound

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posted on 2023-06-09, 22:34 authored by Ian J Russell, Victoria A Lukashkina, Snezana LevicSnezana Levic, Young-Wook Cho, Andrei N Lukashkin, Lily Ng, Douglas Forrest
The detection of different frequencies in sound is accomplished with remarkable precision by the basilar membrane (BM), an elastic, ribbon-like structure with graded stiffness along the cochlear spiral. Sound stimulates a wave of displacement along the BM with maximal magnitude at precise, frequency-specific locations to excite neural signals that carry frequency information to the brain. Perceptual frequency discrimination requires fine resolution of this frequency map, but little is known of the intrinsic molecular features that demarcate the place of response on the BM. To investigate the role of BM microarchitecture in frequency discrimination, we deleted extracellular matrix protein emilin 2, which disturbed the filamentous organization in the BM. Emilin2-/- mice displayed broadened mechanical and neural frequency tuning with multiple response peaks that are shifted to lower frequencies than normal. Thus, emilin 2 confers a stiffness gradient on the BM that is critical for accurate frequency resolution.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Science Advances

ISSN

2375-2548

Publisher

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Issue

24

Volume

6

Page range

1-13

Article number

eaba2634

Event location

United States

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Neuroscience Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2021-01-05

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2021-01-05

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2021-01-05

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