# Molecular mechanisms underlying morphogenesis of the tectorial membrane

> **NIH NIH R01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2021 · $324,063

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The tectorial membrane (TM) is an extracellular matrix (ECM) that lies over the organ of Corti. The TM plays
important roles in frequency selection, propagation, and amplification of sound waves. Malformation of the TM
causes hereditary hearing deficits. Since the TM is an acellular structure, its unique properties arise from the
matrix architecture. The TM exhibits sophisticated ultrastructural features and domain-specific patterns of
matrix organization. However, the mechanisms by which the specific matrix architectures are organized
outside of cells are unknown. Is it determined by its molecular composition and/or mode of organization? We
observed that surface-tethering of a-tectorin/TECTA via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor is required
to prevent diffusion of secreted TM components into the luminal space of the scala media and to form the TM
matrix on the apical surface of TM-producing cells. The release of TECTA plays a critical role in the growth of
the TM layers. Our in vitro assays show that TECTA is released from the producing cells by multiple
mechanisms and that the different forms of TECTA released by these distinct mechanisms show unique
multimerization activities. In this proposal, we will determine the molecular mechanism by which TECTA
mediates the organization of specific TM architecture. We will characterize molecular dynamics that occur
during the matrix maturation. Our results will provide the first evidence of how a complex ECM structure is
established and matures in the extracellular space at the molecular level. This will provide novel insights into
the process of morphogenesis as well as the mechanism of hereditary and age-related hearing deficits.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10210885
- **Project number:** 1R01DC018814-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Sung Jin Park
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $324,063
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-02-09 → 2026-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10210885

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10210885, Molecular mechanisms underlying morphogenesis of the tectorial membrane (1R01DC018814-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10210885. Licensed CC0.

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