Neuroreport
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Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor gene that controls neural stem cell renewal and differentiation and is a potential target for regeneration in the optic nerve. Here we show that it has a critical pattern of expression in the mammalian developing auditory system. ⋯ By postnatal day 7, PTEN was downregulated in hair cells and subsequently in the neurons. This very specific, transient expression pattern suggests that PTEN plays a crucial role in the differentiation of the sensory neurons and hair cells and that it is a potential therapeutic target for hearing regeneration.