Background: Epigenetic regulation plays significant role in the development of the inner ear. It is known that Ring1B can monoubiquitinate H2AK119 to compact nucleosomes and block gene transcription. Ring1B plays crucial role in embryonic development, heterochromatin function, stem cell maintenance and so on. However, it is still unknown whether Ring1B plays a role in the development of inner ear.
Methods: Here, we used postnatal C56BL/6J mice to examine the expression of Ring1B in the cochlea using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining.
Results: Ring1B mRNA expression was observed at postnatal day 0 and postnatal day 14 cochlea. Ring1B protein was expressed in the cochlea on postnatal days 0, 14, and 30. The Ring1B was observed to be expressed in spiral ganglion cells at postnatal days 0, 14, and 30. Additionally, Ring1B was expressed in hair cells at postnatal days 0, 14, and 30.
Conclusion: Our results provide the basic expression pattern of Ring1B and might be helpful for future investigations of the detailed role of Ring1B in the cochlea.