EphA7 is required for otic epithelial homeostasis by modulating Claudin6 in Xenopus

Receptor tyrosine kinase EphA7 is specifically expressed in otic region in Xenopus early development. However, its role in otocyst development remains unknown. Knockdown of EphA7 by a specific morpholino oligonucleotide (MO) reduced the size of the otocyst and triggered otic epithelial cell extrusion. Interestingly, EphA7 depletion attenuated the membrane level of the tight junction protein Claudin6 (CLDN6). Utilizing the Cldn6 MO, we further confirmed that CLDN6 attenuation also led to otic epithelial cell extrusion. Our work suggested that EphA7 modulates the otic epithelial homeostasis through stabilizing the CLDN6 membrane level.