2012) to include the cochlear sensory structure, as well as confirms the extensive expression of this nAChR in the ascending central auditory system. The novel finding that in addition to expression of α7GFP in developing sensory cells of the cochlear structure and neuronal cells of the spiral ganglion, there is also considerable expression by nonsensory cells. Cells of the spiral prominence and ligament, Deiters’ cells, and some Hensen’s cells. Despite overall agreement between our studies and those

using in situ hybridization (e.g., Happe and Morley 1998; Morley and Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical Happe 2000), these nonsensory cells were not reported previously to express α7. However, these comparisons are incomplete because Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical the earlier studies did not necessarily show the comparable structures or the developmental stages at times where we observed peak α7GFP expression. Also, our method of detecting GFP as a marker

of α7 expression offers improved sensitivity and resolution that has previously not been available for this nAChR. The nicotinic receptors α9 and α10 are particularly well characterized in the auditory system (Elgoyhen et al. 1994, 2001a; Vetter et al. 1999, 2007; Katz et al. 2004; Morley 2005). Comparing the expression of Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical α7GFP to the results from these studies of the sensory hair cells and the nonsensory cells of the cochlea indicate that there are significant spatiotemporal differences during development between the expression of α7 versus α9 Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical and/or α10. The α9KO mouse also exhibits auditory deficiencies that are not observed in the α7KO mouse, which is largely devoid of a phenotype in this sensory system under normal physiological conditions (Liberman and Brown 1986; Simmons and Morley 1998; Morley 2005; Lustig 2006). The α7GFP is not detected in IHCs, which is consistent

with α9 nAChR being the principle target of alpha-bungarotoxin Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical in this cell type (Uziel et al. 1981; Glowatzki and Fuchs 2000). Collectively, this suggests that functional redundancy between these receptor subtypes is unlikely (see also Rogers and Gahring 2012). This is also supported by the extensive studies by the Morley group (Happe and Morley 1998, 2004; Morley and Happe 2000; Simmons and Morley Edoxaban 2011) who showed that multiple receptor subtypes are expressed in the cochlear and central auditory systems, but each exhibits distinct spatiotemporal patterns that likely preclude substantial or sustained functional overlap. PF-01367338 molecular weight Noteworthy is that the functional contribution of α7 towards modulating physiological systems may not be revealed unless the system is imbalanced as by genetic deficiencies, sustained exposure to pharmacological compounds, or other events such as inflammation (e.g., Faustman et al. 1992; Gahring and Rogers 2005; Venables et al. 2007; Albuquerque et al. 2009; Brown 2011; Severance et al. 2011).