Inner ear ion channels in healthy and diseased conditions

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Primary auditory afferent neurons conduct sound-evoked action potentials (APs) through surprisingly small- diameter axons at remarkable speed and with millisecond precision. The response properties of the auditory neuron (AN) are phased-locked for low-frequency (<5 kHz) sounds, suggesting that conduction failure is a rarity. However, the neural mechanisms that enable swift and phase-locked conduction are poorly understood. We hypothesize that ANs utilize non-uniform nodal, internodal, and patchy nodal ionic channel distribution to maintain fast conduction velocity (CV). These features optimize action potential (AP) CV and prevent AP conduction failure despite the structural limitations of the AN. We propose to test the underlying hypotheses using various knockin and knockout mouse models and pharmacological strategies. We utilize innovations such as optogenetics, high-resolution microscopy, and multiple electrophysiological approaches. We aim to determine 1) AN axonal ion channels' expression, colocalization, and interactions. We will employ multidisciplinary approaches to assess the expression distribution of specific ionic channels in AN axons. 2) The functional and physical interactions between specific ionic channels in AN neurites. The proximity of certain channels shapes the APs of ANs for high-speed conduction. We will use proximity ligation assay (PLA), live-cell imaging, and spatial and temporal resolution recordings to quantify the protein-protein interactions. 3) Axonal ionic channels' ex vivo and in vivo functional roles of ion channels that shape AN AP CV will be examined. We will use patch-clamp analyses of the kinetics, voltage dependence, and conductance in AN neurons to determine the underlying mechanisms for the differences in response properties and CV using computational studies. Thus, we will address the complexity of anatomic projections and signal processing and subsequent alterations of the structural and ionic conductances that would alter AP CV. This information is a necessary step toward developing treatments for hearing loss.