Fig. 2: Tmc1, Tmc2, Pz1, and Pz2 are localized in IHC and OHC stereocilia and utricular HC stereocilia bundles.
From: The Piezo channel is a mechano-sensitive complex component in the mammalian inner ear hair cell
a–c Confocal fluorescence images obtained from Tmc2-AcGFP/Pz1-tdT transgenic mice at P10. Tmc2 (
) and Pz1 (
) labeling were strongest at stereocilia tips, and plasma membranes of cuticular plates counterstained in 
with Alexa-405-phalloidin for actin. As indicated, the Tmc2 and Pz2 expression patterns were similar in IHCs and OHCs. (Scale bar, 1 μm). d Expression of Tmc1 (
) and Pz2 (
) captured from an OHC of Tmc1-mCherry:Pz2-GFP mice. For the image shown, Pz2 labeling is seen strongly at OHC stereocilia tips and cuticular plate membrane, while Tmc1 is detected mainly at stereocilia tips. (Scale bar = 1 μm). e Confocal fluorescence image of utricular HC stereocilia bundles from Tmc2-AcGFP/Pz1-tdT transgenic mice at P10. Tmc2-GFP (
) and Pz1-tdT (
) localize predominantly to the tips of stereocilia, which were counterstained in 
with Alexa 405-phalloidin for actin. (Scale bar, 2 μm). All experiments were repeated in 5 animal samples, and at least 16 images were collected and sampled blindly by three individuals for each independent experiment (a–d). f–h Scattered plot and histogram depicting the counts and frequency plots of NND (Pz1-Tmc2) and (Pz2-Tmc1) in hair cell stereocilia. At least 5 animals in each group were sampled using 16 images. Source data (f–h) are provided as a Source Data file.
