OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of adaptin-2(AP-2) in mice cochlea and to discuss the probable role in the endocytosis of hair cells. METHOD: Laser scanning confocal microscopy and immune-fluroscence histochemistry were performed in this study. RESULT: In mature mice cochlea, the immunoreactivity for AP-2 was found in the inner hair cells cytoplasm. This protein mainly expressed in the hair cells basal part and nearby the ribbon synapse. CONCLUSION AP-2 protein mainly expressed in the hair cells synaptic activity zone , which suggested that AP-2 could play an important role in the synaptic vesicle endocytosis. This finding built the foundation for the further research involved in the physiological and pathological role of AP-2.
Adaptor Protein Complex alpha Subunits ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cochlea ; Hair Cells, Auditory ; Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner ; metabolism ; Mice ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Synapses