title: Molecular Identity of the Mechanotransduction Channel in Hair Cells: Not Quiet There Yet.
abstract: Hair cells in the mammalian cochlea are specialized mechanosensory cells that convert sound-induced vibrations into electrochemical signals. The molecular composition of the mechanotransduction channel underlying auditory perception has been difficult to define. The study of genes that are linked to inherited forms of deafness has recently provided tantalizing clues. Current findings indicate that the mechanotransduction channel in hair cells is a complex molecular machine. Four different proteins (TMHS/LHFPL5, TMIE, TMC1, and TMC2) have so far been linked to the transduction channel, but which proteins contribute to the channel pore still needs to be determined. Current evidence also suggests that the channel complex may contain additional, yet to be identified components.
authors: Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037.
authors: Zizhen
authors: Z
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037 umueller@scripps.edu.
authors: Ulrich
authors: 0000-0003-2736-6494
authors: U
authors: Müller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D006309:Hearing; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; C451751:TMC1 protein, human; C575756:TMC2 protein, human; D002118:Calcium
keywords: LHFPL5; TMC1; TMC2; TMHS; TMIE; hair cell; mechanotransduction; tip link