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Review
. 2022 Jul 26:16:956200.
doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.956200. eCollection 2022.

Advances in otolith-related protein research

Shouju Huang  1   2 , Shuxia Qian  2
Affiliations
Review

Advances in otolith-related protein research

Shouju Huang et al. Front Neurosci. .

Abstract

Otoliths are biological crystals formed by a layer of calcium carbonate crystal that adhere to the ciliary surface of the utricular and saccular receptors in the vestibule of all vertebrates inner ear, enabling the utricle and saccule to better perceive the changes in linear and gravitational acceleration. However, the molecular etiology of otolith related diseases is still unclear. In this review, we have summarized the recent findings and provided an overview of the proteins that play important roles in otolith formation and maintenance (Otoconin-90, Otolin-1, Otolith Matrix Protein-1, Cochlin, Otogelin, α-Tectorin, β-Tectorin, Otopetrin-1, and Otopetrin-2, PMCA2, etc.), providing new insight for the prevention and management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) with basis for otolith-related proteins as potential biomarkers of vestibular disease.

Keywords: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo; development; formation and maintenance; otolith; otolith-related protein.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Anatomy the vestibular labyrinth and organ of Corti with labeled structures and locations of inner otolith-related proteins. Anatomy of the vestibular labyrinth with labeled structures and locations of inner ear-exclusive proteins. Adapted from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 1997, by Jack Dumala.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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