Macular Suprastructure, Stereociliary Bonding and Kinociliary/ Stereociliary Coupling in Rat Utricular Macula

Abstract

This report considers rat utricular macular suprastructure after chemical treatment with the sodium salt of N,N-Naphthaloylhydroxylamine (NHA), used alone or in combination with tannic acid (TA). NHA and TA preserve calcium and complex carbohydrate-protein molecules, respectively. Macromolecules of supramacular substance appear comparable morphologically to material of the external lamina of glycocalyx. Similar material cross-links stereocilia with ∼58 nm periodicity and couples parts of kinocilia with specific stereocilia. Particles which occur within kinocilia at certain attachment sites connect to dynein arms of the kinocilia. Interstereociliary connections are aligned with internal linkers to actin. Thus, a basis for dynamic communication between kinocilia and stereociliary actin has been shown. The mechanism would appear to be calcium dependent. The findings support the concept that kinocilia are motile and lead the stereociliary tuft in vestibular hair cells.

Key Words:

• supramacular substance
• glycocalyx
• stereociliary bonding
• kinociliary/stereociliary coupling
• calcium binding