Structure of the Cortical Cytoskeleton in Mammalian Outer Hair Cells

The cortical cytoskeletal lattice in outer hair cells is a two-dimensional actin-based structure, which can be labelled with rhodamine/phalloidin and disrupted by the enzyme deoxyribonuclease I. Structural information from thin sectioned, freeze-etched and negatively stained preparations shows that it is based upon two types of filament that form a cross-linked lattice of circumferential filaments. The cross-links are 70-80 nm long. Measurements of the spacing between circumferential filaments suggest that the lattice is stiffer circumferentially than it is longitudinally. Analysis of the orientation of circumferential filaments shows that it is composed of discrete domains of up to 10 microns 2. Relative movements between domains could allow substantial changes of cell shape without disrupting the unit structure of the lattice, thus allowing the cell cortex to retain its elastic responses to high-frequency deformations.