Role of nectins in cellular arrangements of the inner ear

Nectins are a family of cell adhesion proteins that promote both homophilic and heterophilic adhesive interactions between neighboring cells. Evidence indicates that the unique interaction between two members of the Nectin family members, Nectin-1 and Nectin-3, drives cellular rearrangement in the organ of Corti (OoC) of the mammalian inner ear. In addition to nectins, cells in the OoC also express Cadherins (e.g. E-cadherin and N-cadherin), that promote homophilic interactions between cells. However, it is not clear how these adhesive proteins, with seemingly opposing functions, contribute to the cellular arrangements in the OoC.

In this research, we will study the cellular dynamics of Nectins and Cadherins, by expressing these proteins in a cell culture system. In these assays, we will co-culture cells expressing different combinations of Nectins and Cadherins fused to fluorescent proteins. Using live cell imaging we will study the adhesion-dependent cell dynamics and the accumulation of adhesion proteins on the cell boundaries. We hope to elucidate how the combination of Nectins and Cadherins promote alternating cellular patterning in the inner ear.