Cochlear Hair Cell Electrochemistry: Mechanisms for Bidirectional Transduction.
Abstract
Our objective is to determine the cellular mechanism responsible for cochlear outer hair cell (OHC) electromotility. Experiments are designed to test the working hypothesis that electrically evoked movements in OHCs result form electo-osmotic movement of cytoplasm in the outer hair cell's laminated cisternal system. More specifically, we postulate the intracellular potential gradients associated with acoustic transduction drive intracellular fluids through an electo-osmotic pump formed by the plasma and morphologically unique laminated cisternal membranes of the outer hair cells. The cell's cable properties are being measured to determine the range of intracellular potential gradients possible within OHC. The effect of temperature in the mechanical frequency response is being measured. The nature of the membrane surface charge is being probed with lectin binding experiments. The possibility of interaction between polyamines and the electrical double layer is being assessed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 30, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA189814
Entities
People
- William E. Brownell
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University