These data contribute to our understanding of the molecular basis of the delayed maturation of the sensory epithelium reported in IGF-I deficit [17], extending the actions of this factor and highlighting a relationship with the Usher' syndrome molecules Ush1c[32], Rp1h[34] and Tub[35] whose mutations cause both deafness and blindness in men (ORPHA120433, ORPHA886). Here, USH1C is linked to Usher syndrome.