Open Access Review

Calcium signaling in the cochlea – Molecular mechanisms and physiopathological implications

Federico Ceriani1,2 and Fabio Mammano1,2,3,4*

Author Affiliations

1 Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia “G. Galilei”, Università di Padova, 35131, Padova, Italy

2 Istituto Veneto di Medicina Molecolare, Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata, 35129, Padova, Italy

3 Istituto CNR di Neuroscienze, 35131, Padova, Italy

4 VIMM, Via G. Orus 2, 35129, Padova, Italy

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Cell Communication and Signaling 2012, 10:20 doi:10.1186/1478-811X-10-20

Published: 12 July 2012

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