Early in its development, the vertebrate inner ear acquires axial identities from the tissues surrounding it. These subsequently influence the development of all the inner ear components. On p. 2115, Bok and co-workers report that the hindbrain determines dorsoventral (DV) but not anteroposterior (AP) axial specification in the chick inner ear. By rotating the hindbrain around its AP axis, the researchers show that the induction of the otic placode - which gives rise to the inner ear - precedes axial specification and that reversing the AP orientation of the hindbrain before axial specification does not affect inner ear development. By contrast,reversing the DV axis of the hindbrain changes the DV axial identity of the inner ear. Additional experiments identify Sonic Hedgehog as one of the hindbrain signals that patterns the ventral axis of the inner ear; the signals and tissues that confer AP axial identity remain unknown.
A rotating view of inner ear patterning
A rotating view of inner ear patterning. Development 1 May 2005; 132 (9): e902. doi:
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
Development presents... live stream of our Journal Meeting

Watch a session from Development’s Journal Meeting, Unconventional and Emerging Experimental Organisms in Cell and Developmental Biology which was live on the Node Monday 18 September.
Navigating a research career with a disability

Our two recent Perspectives articles explore the lived experiences of disabled scientists in our community. Kelsey L. Anbuhl and colleagues describe the lived experiences of five biologists who share the challenges and successes of undertaking a scientific career with a disability. Whereas Jack Darius Morgan reviews the literature exploring disabled scientists’ experiences in academia.
Focus on regeneration

Tissue regeneration is a fascinating phenomenon, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying regeneration remain incompletely understood. Here, Development has collated a series of articles showcasing some of the most recent advances in regenerative biology.
Keeping up with the Node: Lab meetings

Keep up with the Node 'Lab meeting' posts as the platform regularly highlights development and stem cell biology labs from across the globe and showcases research and researchers from the community. August featured the Nichols lab at the University of Edinburgh, read their 'Lab meeting' article here.
Read & Publish Open Access publishing: what authors say

We have had great feedback from authors who have benefitted from our Read & Publish agreement with their institution and have been able to publish Open Access with us without paying an APC. Read what they had to say.