Hair cells are sensitive to environmental insults such as excessive noise or chemical exposure, resulting in their death. Unfortunately, their loss in humans is irreversible. In this application, we propose to use the zebrafish mechanosensory lateral line system to study the regulation of hair cell regeneration. Lateral line hair cells share cellular and molecular properties with hair cells of the inner ear, yet are easily accessible to visualization and manipulation. We propose two screens: to search for mutations that alter hair cell regeneration and to identify small molecule regulators of regeneration. Our preliminary studies show that both screens are feasible. In initial screens, we have identified 8 mutations that alter regeneration and two compounds that enhance hair cell replacement. We propose to characterize in detail the mechanisms by which hair cell regeneration is altered by these genetic and small molecule modulators. We will also map mutations to begin identification of the molecular lesions that underlie mutant phenotypes. These studies will help us understand the regulatory pathways that control zebrafish hair cell regeneration, and may reveal the steps altered in mammals that no longer allow regeneration to occur.

Public Health Relevance

Damage and loss of hair cells in the ear is a leading cause of deafness, and unfortunately they cannot grow back. Zebrafish have retained the ability to regenerate their hair cells after damage. Work in this proposal seeks to identify genes that regulate zebrafish hair cell regeneration and discover drugs that modulate this process, with the hopes for future therapies for hearing loss.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC011269-04
Application #
8470158
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BDA-M (50))
Program Officer
Freeman, Nancy
Project Start
2010-06-10
Project End
2015-05-31
Budget Start
2013-06-01
Budget End
2014-05-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$298,916
Indirect Cost
$103,501
Name
University of Washington
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
605799469
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
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Yoshimatsu, Takeshi; D'Orazi, Florence D; Gamlin, Clare R et al. (2016) Presynaptic partner selection during retinal circuit reassembly varies with timing of neuronal regeneration in vivo. Nat Commun 7:10590
Thomas, Eric D; Cruz, Ivan A; Hailey, Dale W et al. (2015) There and back again: development and regeneration of the zebrafish lateral line system. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Dev Biol 4:1-16
Cruz, Ivan A; Kappedal, Ryan; Mackenzie, Scott M et al. (2015) Robust regeneration of adult zebrafish lateral line hair cells reflects continued precursor pool maintenance. Dev Biol 402:229-38
Esterberg, Robert; Coffin, Allison B; Ou, Henry et al. (2013) Fish in a Dish: Drug Discovery for Hearing Habilitation. Drug Discov Today Dis Models 10:
Mackenzie, Scott M; Raible, David W (2012) Proliferative regeneration of zebrafish lateral line hair cells after different ototoxic insults. PLoS One 7:e47257
Namdaran, Parhum; Reinhart, Katherine E; Owens, Kelly N et al. (2012) Identification of modulators of hair cell regeneration in the zebrafish lateral line. J Neurosci 32:3516-28