Role for a Novel Usher Protein Complex in Hair Cell Synaptic Maturation
Figure 6
Usher protein expression by type I afferent synapses and corresponding SGNs.
Panel A: P3 type I afferent fibers were labeled with a neuronal tracer (Texas Red conjugated-dextran) (A–F) and immunostained with anti-CDH23 (B), anti-PCDH15 (D) and anti-VLGR1 (F) (green). Arrowheads: pre-synaptic expression, indicated by the absence of co-localization with the neuronal tracer. Scale bar: 5 µm. Panel B: P3 cochlea cross-sections showing expression of the Usher proteins (green, G–N) in the spiral ganglion neurons (SGN), neuronal fibers (NF) and hair cells (HCs) and their co-localization with type I afferent neurons (red, H, J, L, N). GR: greater epithelial ridge cells. White dot: non-specific staining in the tectorial membrane. Scale bar: 20 µm.