Modulation of Glucose Takeup by Glucose Transport on the Isolated OHCs

Abstract EN

Glucose is a fundamental source of energy for mammalian cells; however, whether glucose is taken up through the lateral walls of cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) is unknown.

The OHC lateral wall is complex, composed of a plasma membrane, cortical lattice, and subsurface cisternae.

This study assessed the uptake of glucose by OHCs using live-cell microscopy and examined the distribution of glucose transporter isoforms by immunohistochemistry.

We found that glucose transporter-4 was mostly expressed on the lateral wall of OHCs.

Glucose crossed the lateral walls of OHCs via glucose transporters-4 mainly, and this process could be modulated.

These results suggest that the lateral walls are involved in modulating energy transport into OHCs.