Calcium signaling in the cochlea – Molecular mechanisms and physiopathological implications

Abstract

Abstract Calcium ions (Ca2+) regulate numerous and diverse aspects of cochlear and vestibular physiology. This review focuses on the Ca2+ control of mechanotransduction and synaptic transmission in sensory hair cells, as well as on Ca2+ signalling in non-sensory cells of the developing cochlea.

Keywords

• Hearing
• Inner ear
• Transducer adaptation
• Ca²⁺ channels
• Cadherin 23
• Protocadherin 15
• Plasma-membrane Ca²⁺-ATPase
• Prestin
• Intracellular stores
• Calcium release
• Mitochondria
• Ribbon synapse
• Adenosine-5'-triphosphate
• Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate
• Connexin 26
• Connexin 30
• Deafness
• Mouse models