title: ATP8B1 is essential for maintaining normal hearing.
abstract: ATP8B1 deficiency is caused by autosomal recessive mutations in ATP8B1, which encodes the putative phospatidylserine flippase ATP8B1 (formerly called FIC1). ATP8B1 deficiency is primarily characterized by cholestasis, but extrahepatic symptoms are also found. Because patients sometimes report reduced hearing capability, we investigated the role of ATP8B1 in auditory function. Here we show that ATP8B1/Atp8b1 deficiency, both in patients and in Atp8b1(G308V/G308V) mutant mice, causes hearing loss, associated with progressive degeneration of cochlear hair cells. Atp8b1 is specifically localized in the stereocilia of these hair cells. This indicates that the mechanosensory function and integrity of the cochlear hair cells is critically dependent on ATP8B1 activity, possibly through maintaining lipid asymmetry in the cellular membranes of stereocilia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. jstapelb@umcutrecht.nl
authors.forename: Janneke M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Stapelbroek
authors.forename: Theo A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Denis H A
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: van Beurden
authors.forename: Jo H A J
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Curfs
authors.forename: Anneke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joosten
authors.forename: Andy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Beynon
authors.forename: Bibian M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
authors.forename: Lieke M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: van der Velden
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bull
authors.forename: Ronald P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Oude Elferink
authors.forename: Bert A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: van Zanten
authors.forename: Leo W J
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Klomp
authors.forename: Roderick H J
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Houwen
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000473:pathology; D049294:Phospholipid Transfer Proteins
chemical_list: D049294:Phospholipid Transfer Proteins; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; C111067:ATP8B1 protein, human; C491742:Atp8b1 protein, mouse