Cooperative functions of Hes/Hey genes in auditory hair cell and supporting cell development

► Hes1, Hes5 and Hey1 cooperatively inhibit hair cell formation. ► One allele of Hes1, Hes5 or Hey1 can overproduce supporting cells. ► Hes/Hey genes function to suppress proliferation of hair/supporting cells. ► Hes/Hey genes affect hearing ability by regulating cell alignment and polarity.