Endolymph composition: paradigm or inevitability?

This review is focused on the unusual composition of the endolymph of the inner ear and its function in mechanoelectrical transduction. The role of K+ and Ca2+ in excitatory influx, the very low Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations of endolymph, stereocilia structure of hair cells and some proteins involved in mechanosensory signal transduction with emphasis on auditory receptors are presented and analyzed in more details. An alternative hypothetical model of ciliary structure and endolymph with a 'normal' composition is discussed. It is concluded that the unique endolymph cation content is more than an energy saving mechanism that avoids disturbing circulatory vibrations to achieve a much better mechanosensory resolution. It is the only possible way to fulfil the requirements for a precise ciliary mechanoelectrical transduction in conditions where pressure events with quite diverse amplitudes and duration are transformed into adequate hair cell membrane depolarizations, which are regulated by a sensitive Ca2+-dependent feedback tuning.