title: Molecular analysis of hair cells in sensorineural hearing loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since the completion of the human genome project, the exploration of the molecular basis of sensorineural hearing loss has been an area of intensive research. In this review, we attempt to summarize the knowledge on genes or proteins in hair cells related to sensorineural hearing loss. Investigating expression and function of these genes will help us to understand the molecular mechanisms of deafness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are about 70-100 genetic loci which are related to deafness. Some of them are signal proteins while others are membrane proteins. Some of them can deter hair cell development or accelerate aging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of these genes and proteins are related to signal transduction pathways. These gens are located in the outer hair cells, which is the site for receiving sound.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otology and Acoustic Biology, 1st Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Zhaobing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qin
mesh_terms: D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000378:metabolism; D018072:Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer / Q000378:metabolism*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D000077278:RNA, Mitochondrial; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D035683:MicroRNAs; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D000077278:RNA, Mitochondrial; D012313:RNA