Tip-link organization in anomalously-oriented hair cells of the guinea pig cochlea.

ABSTRACT

Stereocilia are described in a group of guinea pigs with abnormal conformation of the outer hair cell stereociliary bundles. Rows of stereocilia were found which were circular instead of V- or W-shaped, and rotated or even reversed in orientation with respect to normal. The stereocilia have however a normal gradation in heights of the rows of stereocilia, and have tip links running in the direction of gradation in height.