Multi-omics analysis of ion channels expressed by chicken embryo vestibular type I and type II hair cells

Signal transduction and transmission involve several types of ion channels, which are progressively acquired during hair cells differentiation, and whose identity is only partially known. In the present study, we adopted a multi-omics approach to identify the molecular nature of ion channels expressed by chicken vestibular hair cells between embryonic day (E)15 and E21, the day of hatching, when both type I and II hair cells appear functionally mature.

Type I hair cells are characterized by the expression of a low-voltage activated outward rectifying K+ current, termed IKL. In adult mice, IKL is carried by the KV1.8 α-subunit, while it is still controversial if the KV7.4 α-subunit contributes to IKL in immature mouse type I hair cells. In this study, no effect of Linopirdine, a specific blocker of KV7 channels, was found in either immature or mature type I or II hair cells.