Redundant functions of Rac GTPases in inner ear morphogenesis

Development of the mammalian inner ear requires coordination of cell proliferation, cell fate determination and morphogenetic movements. While significant progress has been made in identifying developmental signals required for inner ear formation, less is known about how distinct signals are coordinated by their downstream mediators. Members of the Rac family of small GTPases are known regulators of cytoskeletal remodeling and numerous other cellular processes. However, the function of Rac GTPases in otic development is largely unexplored. Here, we show that Rac1 and Rac3 redundantly regulate many aspects of inner ear morphogenesis. While no morphological defects were observed in Rac3−/− mice, Rac1CKO; Rac3−/− double mutants displayed enhanced vestibular and cochlear malformations compared to Rac1CKO single mutants. Moreover, in Rac1CKO; Rac3−/− mutants, we observed compromised E-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion, reduced cell proliferation and increased cell death in the early developing otocyst, leading to a decreased size and malformation of the membranous labyrinth. Finally, cochlear extension was severely disrupted in Rac1CKO; Rac3−/− mutants, accompanied by a loss of epithelial cohesion and formation of ectopic sensory patches underneath the cochlear duct. The compartmentalized expression of otic patterning genes within the Rac1CKO; Rac3−/− mutant otocyst was largely normal, however, indicating that Rac proteins regulate inner ear morphogenesis without affecting cell fate specification. Taken together, our results reveal an essential role for Rac GTPases in coordinating cell adhesion, cell proliferation, cell death and cell movements during otic development.

► Rac1 and Rac3 function redundantly to regulate inner ear morphogenesis.
► Rac1/3 promote actin assembly and E-cadherin-mediated adhesion in the otocyst.
► Rac1/3 are essential for proliferation and survival but not cell fate specification.
► Rac1/3 control epithelial cohesion during convergent extension of the cochlea.
► Rac1/3 promote survival of the spiral ganglion neurons.