Expression of the Sox10 gene during mouse inner ear development.

Mutations in the SOX10 gene, encoding a cell-lineage specific transcription factor, are associated with congenital deafness. We analyzed the expression of Sox10 mRNA in developing mouse inner ear by in situ hybridization. Sox10 mRNA is expressed in the entire epithelia of the otic vesicle at embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) and in the developing cochlea and vestibule at E13.5. In postnatal day 8 and adult cochleas, Sox10 expression is restricted to the supporting cells of the organ of Corti. These expression profiles suggest that Sox10 is important for development of the cochlea.