Molecular insights into electroreceptor ribbon synapses from differential gene expression in sturgeon lateral line organs. (PubMed, J Anat)
Sterlet ampullary organs also express Otof (also expected from paddlefish, though we identified one Otof transcript variant maintained in ampullary organs but not neuromasts) and two other hair cell synapse-associated genes, Apba1 (Mint1) and Rab3a...In contrast, Cbln18, encoding a secreted trans-synaptic scaffolding protein, was only expressed in neuromasts and Tulp1, encoding tubby-related protein 1 (required for the development and function of photoreceptor ribbon synapses), was only expressed in ampullary organs. Overall, our results support electroreceptor ribbon synapses in non-teleost ray-finned bony fish being glutamatergic and suggest further commonalities, but also some differences, with hair cell ribbon synapses.