Individual characteristics of members of the SLC26 family in vertebrates and their homologues in insects.
The 10-member SLC26 gene family encodes anion exchangers of which SLC26A5 appears to be restricted to the outer hair cells of the inner ear. Here, the so-called prestin protein acts as a molecular motor, thought to be responsible for active mechanical amplification in the mammalian cochlea. We introduce special characteristics of SLC26A5 which may have relevance for other members of the family as well. As such, data point to a characteristic transcriptional control mechanism of which thyroid hormone surprisingly takes a role not only as an enhancer of expression, but also as a regulator of the subcellular redistribution of the prestin protein. Of significance for other members of the SLC26 family may be the observation that the failure of the subcellular redistribution of prestin protein prior to the onset of hearing leads to severe deficit of mature prestin function. Data will furthermore be argued in the context that prestin-related SLC26 proteins in the auditory organs of non-mammalian vertebrates and insects are widespread, possibly ancestral constituents of auditory organs and are likely to serve salient roles in mammals and across taxa.
Knipper
Marlies
M
University of Tübingen, Department of Otolaryngology, Tübingen Hearing Research Center, Molecular Neurobiology, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 5, D-72076 Tiibingen, Germany.
Weber
Thomas
T
Winter
Harald
H
Braig
Claudia
C
Cimerman
Jelka
J
Fraenzer
Juergen T
JT
Zimmermann
Ulrike
U
D000818:Animals; D027321:Anion Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003051:Cochlea / Q000166:cytology; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007313:Insecta / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D021381:Protein Transport; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D020218:Response Elements / Q000235:genetics; D017385:Sequence Homology; D000076988:Sulfate Transporters; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D015027:Zebrafish
D027321:Anion Transport Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C409207:Slc26a5 protein, rat; D000076988:Sulfate Transporters