[Expression of three kinds of transcription factors in greater epithelial ridge cells of rat cochlear].

Objective: To detect the expression of Math1, Hes1 and Hes5 in greater epithelial ridge (GER) cells of rat cochlear and explore their influence on hair cell differentiation.

Methods: Postnatal day 0 (P0), day 1 (P1) , day 3 (P3) day 4 (P4) and day 5 (P5) rat cochlear were dissected respectively and then pure GER cells were separated by a combinatorial approach of attachment and mechanical separation. The total RNA of GER cells was extracted by Trizol one step method and the expression of Math1, Hes1 and Hes5 in GER cells was detected with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Math1 was expressed in P0 - P5 rat GER cells and Hes1 was expressed only in PO - P3 rat GER cells, while there was no expression of Hes5 in P0 - P5 rat GER cells.

Conclusions: Probably only when the expression of Math1 reaches a certain level can it induce GER cells to differentiate into hair cells. Meanwhile this process might controlled by Hes1 to some extent.