Influence of elastase and hyaluronidase on the ciliary interconnecting systems in frog vestibular sensory cells.

Bullfrog vestibular end organs were incubated in frog Ringer's solution, hyaluronidase and elastase. When assessed by scanning electron microscopy, long-time incubation in frog Ringer's solution caused damage to side links. Elastase caused severe damage to tip links with a slight alteration to side links. The glycocalyx of the hair cells decreased after incubation in elastase or hyaluronidase. Electrophysiological measurements showed a remarkable decrease in compound action potentials after the elastase treatment, while no change was observed after the long-time incubation in frog Ringer's solution or hyaluronidase. The results are in agreement with the hypothesis that tip links are involved in mechanotransduction, and side links keep the cilia arranged in a bundle.