Second Messengers in the Cochlea

Abstract

Second messengers are vital to the regulation of nearly every aspect of cellular physiology. Evidence is reviewed for the role of second messengers in cochlear fluid homeostasis, hair cell adaptation, motility and synaptic activity. We suggest that the elucidation of the role of second messengers in the regulation of cochlear physiology will be important for the therapeutic management of otopathologies and the side effects of ototoxic agents.

Key Words:

• cochlea. second messengers
• cAMP. cGMP
• diacylglycerides inositol 1.4.5-trisphosphote. Calcium
• calmodulin
• signal transactions. homeastasis. hair. cells. stria vascularis