Work

Esrp1 and Esrp2 Regulate the Stability of tmc1 / 2a mRNAs in Zebrafish Sensory Hair Cells

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are important for posttranscriptional RNA processing, including pre-mRNA alternative splicing, mRNA stability, and translation. Several RBPs have been shown to play pivotal roles in the inner ear, whose dysfunction leads to auditory and/or balance impairments. Epithelial splicing-regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) regulates alternative splicing and mRNA stability, and mutations in ESRP1 gene have been associated with sensorineural hearing loss in humans. In Esrp1 knock-out mouse embryos, alternative splicing of its target genes such as Fgfr2 is impaired, which eventually result in cochlear development deficits. However, Esrp1 knock-out mice die soon after birth because of complications from cleft-lip and palate defects, impeding further investigations at later postnatal ages. In the present study, we explored the role of ESRP1 in hearing using zebrafish as a model. We showed that esrp1 and its paralog esrp2 are expressed in the inner ear and certain anterior lateral line (ALL) neuromasts. Furthermore, our data suggested that Esrp1 and Esrp2 are required for the mechano-electrical transduction (MET) function of hair cells. RNA sequencing results indicated a significant decrease in the levels of several mRNAs in esrp1/2 double knock-out larvae. Among the dysregulated genes are tmc1 and tmc2a , which encode essential subunits of the MET complex. Further investigations demonstrated that Esrp1/2 could directly bind to tmc1 and tmc2a mRNAs and affect their stability. Taken together, we showed here that Esrp1 and Esrp2 regulate the MET function of zebrafish sensory hair cells by modulating the stability of tmc1 and tmc2a mRNAs.

Source: Journal of Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0837-24.2025

Authors: Xuebo Yao, Yan Zhang, Xiaying Hong, Yanyi Xing, Zhigang Xu

Institutions: Shandong University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Shandong Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Hearing, Cochlea, Tinnitus, Genetics

Subfield: Sensory Systems

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China