Pannexin1 channels dominate ATP release in the cochlea ensuring endocochlear potential and auditory receptor potential generation and hearing

Jin Chen, Yan Zhu, Chun Liang, Jing Chen, Hong Bo Zhao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pannexin1 (Panx1) is a gap junction gene in vertebrates whose proteins mainly function as non-junctional channels on the cell surface. Panx1 channels can release ATP under physiological conditions and play critical roles in many physiological and pathological processes. Here, we report that Panx1 deficiency can reduce ATP release and endocochlear potential (EP) generation in the cochlea inducing hearing loss. Panx1 extensively expresses in the cochlea, including the cochlear lateral wall. We found that deletion of Panx1 in the cochlear lateral wall almost abolished ATP release under physiological conditions. Positive EP is a driving force for current through hair cells to produce auditory receptor potential. EP generation requires ATP. In the Panx1 deficient mice, EP and auditory receptor potential as measured by cochlear microphonics (CM) were significantly reduced. However, no apparent hair cell loss was detected. Moreover, defect of connexin hemichannels by deletion of connexin26 (Cx26) and Cx30, which are predominant connexin isoforms in the cochlea, did not reduce ATP release under physiological conditions. These data demonstrate that Panx1 channels dominate ATP release in the cochlea ensuring EP and auditory receptor potential generation and hearing. Panx1 deficiency can reduce ATP release and EP generation causing hearing loss.

Original languageEnglish
Article number10762
JournalScientific Reports
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2 2015

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We are grateful to Dr. Willis at University of California Davis for technical support on Panx1 knockout and genotyping, Dr. Dahl at Miami University for kindly providing anti-Panx1 antibody, and Dr. Liang Zong for technical help on mouse breeding and genotyping at the early stage of this study. This work was supported by NIH (R01) DC 05989.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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