[Hereditary deafness: molecular genetics].
This article outlines recent advances in explaining hereditary deafness in molecular terms, focusing on isolated (i.e. nonsyndromic) hearing loss. The number of genes identified (36 to date) is growing rapidly. However, difficulties inherent in genetic linkage analysis, coupled with the possible involvement of environmental causes, have so far prevented the characterization of the main genes causative or predisposing to the late-onset forms of deafness.
Hardelin
Jean-Pierre
JP
Unité de génétique des déficits sensoriels, Inserm U.587, Institut Pasteur, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.
Denoyelle
Françoise
F
Levilliers
Jacqueline
J
Simmler
Marie-Christine
MC
Petit
Christine
C
D017668:Age of Onset; D003638:Deafness / Q000235:genetics*; D004777:Environment; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans