The Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27Kip1 Maintains Terminal Differentiation in the Mouse Organ of Corti

Background: In mammals, sensory hair cells and supporting cells that comprise the auditory epithelium (i.e. organ of Corti) lose the ability to proliferate or regenerate after embryogenesis and are considered terminally differentiated. Previously, it was demonstrated that deletion of p27 Kip1 , a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor, extends the period of cellular proliferation beyond embryogenesis in the organ of Corti, resulting in supernumary supporting cells and hair cells.