Abstract
Membrane-bound ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (E-NTPDases) in the inner ear regulate complex extracellular purinergic type-2 (P2) receptor signalling pathways through hydrolysis of extracellular nucleoside 5'-triphosphates and diphosphates. This study investigated the distribution of NTPDase5 and NTPDase6, two intracellular members of the E-NTPDase family, and linked this to regulation of P2 receptor signalling in the adult rat cochlea. These extracellular ectonucleotidases preferentially hydrolyse nucleoside 5'-diphosphates such as UDP and GDP. Expression of both enzymes at mRNA and protein level was detected in cochlear tissues and there was in vivo release of soluble NTPDase5 and 6 into cochlear fluids. Strong NTPDase5 immunostaining was found in the spiral ganglion neurones and supporting Deiters' cells of the organ of Corti, while NTPDase6 was confined to the inner hair cells. Upregulation of NTPDase5 after exposure to loud sound indicates a dynamic role for NTPDase5 in cochlear response to stress, whereas NTPDase6 may have more limited extracellular roles. Noise-induced upregulation of co-localised UDP-preferring P2Y(6) receptors in the spiral ganglion neurons further supports the involvement of NTPDase5 in regulation of P2Y receptor signalling. Noise stress also induced P2Y(14) (UDP- and UDP-glucose preferring) receptor expression in the root processes of the outer sulcus cells, but this was not associated with localization of the E-NTPDases.