The Zebrafish as a Genetic Model to Study Otolith Formation

Taken together, the results from studies in zebrafish and studies in other fish species and mammals provide a more comprehensive picture of otolith or otoconia formation. During the first phase of otolith development, the presence of glycogenous otolithic seeding particles is crucial for the formation of the otoliths. Prior to the attachment of these seeding particles to the kinocilia of the tether cells, matrix proteins involved in otolith formation are already associated with seeding particles (Figure 14.5b). These otolithic seeding particles probably provide the correct microenvironments for the process of calcium carbonate nucleation. Either the seeding particles themselves or matrix proteins associated with the particles such as collagens or acidic proteins like Starmaker may facilitate this process.