Electron Microscopy Techniques for Investigating Structure and Composition of Hair-Cell Stereociliary Bundles
Hair cells—the sensory cells of the vertebrate inner ear—bear at their apical surfaces a bundle of actin-filled protrusions called stereocilia, which mediate the cells’ mechanosensitivity. Hereditary deafness is often associated with morphological disorganization of stereocilia bundles, with the abs...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.744248/full |
| _version_ | 1831825461217329152 |
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| author | Maryna V. Ivanchenko Artur A. Indzhykulian David P. Corey |
| author_facet | Maryna V. Ivanchenko Artur A. Indzhykulian David P. Corey |
| author_sort | Maryna V. Ivanchenko |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hair cells—the sensory cells of the vertebrate inner ear—bear at their apical surfaces a bundle of actin-filled protrusions called stereocilia, which mediate the cells’ mechanosensitivity. Hereditary deafness is often associated with morphological disorganization of stereocilia bundles, with the absence or mislocalization within stereocilia of specific proteins. Thus, stereocilia bundles are closely examined to understand most animal models of hereditary hearing loss. Because stereocilia have a diameter less than a wavelength of light, light microscopy is not adequate to reveal subtle changes in morphology or protein localization. Instead, electron microscopy (EM) has proven essential for understanding stereocilia bundle development, maintenance, normal function, and dysfunction in disease. Here we review a set of EM imaging techniques commonly used to study stereocilia, including optimal sample preparation and best imaging practices. These include conventional and immunogold transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as focused-ion-beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), which enables 3-D serial reconstruction of resin-embedded biological structures at a resolution of a few nanometers. Parameters for optimal sample preparation, fixation, immunogold labeling, metal coating and imaging are discussed. Special attention is given to protein localization in stereocilia using immunogold labeling. Finally, we describe the advantages and limitations of these EM techniques and their suitability for different types of studies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T01:27:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8d2324f3c4d04b9d9829fea6cf2bcb01 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-634X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T01:27:38Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-8d2324f3c4d04b9d9829fea6cf2bcb012022-12-21T18:04:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology2296-634X2021-10-01910.3389/fcell.2021.744248744248Electron Microscopy Techniques for Investigating Structure and Composition of Hair-Cell Stereociliary BundlesMaryna V. Ivanchenko0Artur A. Indzhykulian1David P. Corey2Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United StatesDepartment of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United StatesDepartment of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United StatesHair cells—the sensory cells of the vertebrate inner ear—bear at their apical surfaces a bundle of actin-filled protrusions called stereocilia, which mediate the cells’ mechanosensitivity. Hereditary deafness is often associated with morphological disorganization of stereocilia bundles, with the absence or mislocalization within stereocilia of specific proteins. Thus, stereocilia bundles are closely examined to understand most animal models of hereditary hearing loss. Because stereocilia have a diameter less than a wavelength of light, light microscopy is not adequate to reveal subtle changes in morphology or protein localization. Instead, electron microscopy (EM) has proven essential for understanding stereocilia bundle development, maintenance, normal function, and dysfunction in disease. Here we review a set of EM imaging techniques commonly used to study stereocilia, including optimal sample preparation and best imaging practices. These include conventional and immunogold transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as focused-ion-beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), which enables 3-D serial reconstruction of resin-embedded biological structures at a resolution of a few nanometers. Parameters for optimal sample preparation, fixation, immunogold labeling, metal coating and imaging are discussed. Special attention is given to protein localization in stereocilia using immunogold labeling. Finally, we describe the advantages and limitations of these EM techniques and their suitability for different types of studies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.744248/fullhair cellcochleastereociliaelectron microscopySEMTEM |
| spellingShingle | Maryna V. Ivanchenko Artur A. Indzhykulian David P. Corey Electron Microscopy Techniques for Investigating Structure and Composition of Hair-Cell Stereociliary Bundles Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology hair cell cochlea stereocilia electron microscopy SEM TEM |
| title | Electron Microscopy Techniques for Investigating Structure and Composition of Hair-Cell Stereociliary Bundles |
| title_full | Electron Microscopy Techniques for Investigating Structure and Composition of Hair-Cell Stereociliary Bundles |
| title_fullStr | Electron Microscopy Techniques for Investigating Structure and Composition of Hair-Cell Stereociliary Bundles |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electron Microscopy Techniques for Investigating Structure and Composition of Hair-Cell Stereociliary Bundles |
| title_short | Electron Microscopy Techniques for Investigating Structure and Composition of Hair-Cell Stereociliary Bundles |
| title_sort | electron microscopy techniques for investigating structure and composition of hair cell stereociliary bundles |
| topic | hair cell cochlea stereocilia electron microscopy SEM TEM |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.744248/full |
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