title: Snaring otoferlin's role in deafness.
abstract: Mutations in the gene encoding otoferlin are known to cause deafness, but the mechanism is unclear. In this issue, Roux et al. (2006) demonstrate that otoferlin interacts with SNARE molecules at the afferent synapses of cochlear inner hair cells to trigger exocytosis of neurotransmitter.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, 97403, USA. roberts@uoneuro.uoregon.edu
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000378:metabolism; D003638:Deafness / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006199:Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D050600:SNARE Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; C118457:OTOF protein, human; D050600:SNARE Proteins