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Prestin is the motor protein of cochlear outer hair cells

Author

Listed:
  • Jing Zheng

    (Auditory Physiology Laboratory (The Hugh Knowles Center), Northwestern University)

  • Weixing Shen

    (Auditory Physiology Laboratory (The Hugh Knowles Center), Northwestern University)

  • David Z. Z. He

    (Auditory Physiology Laboratory (The Hugh Knowles Center), Northwestern University)

  • Kevin B. Long

    (Center for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School)

  • Laird D. Madison

    (Center for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School)

  • Peter Dallos

    (Auditory Physiology Laboratory (The Hugh Knowles Center), Northwestern University)

Abstract

The outer and inner hair cells of the mammalian cochlea perform different functions. In response to changes in membrane potential, the cylindrical outer hair cell rapidly alters its length and stiffness. These mechanical changes, driven by putative molecular motors, are assumed to produce amplification of vibrations in the cochlea that are transduced by inner hair cells. Here we have identified an abundant complementary DNA from a gene, designated Prestin, which is specifically expressed in outer hair cells. Regions of the encoded protein show moderate sequence similarity to pendrin and related sulphate/anion transport proteins. Voltage-induced shape changes can be elicited in cultured human kidney cells that express prestin. The mechanical response of outer hair cells to voltage change is accompanied by a ‘gating current’, which is manifested as nonlinear capacitance. We also demonstrate this nonlinear capacitance in transfected kidney cells. We conclude that prestin is the motor protein of the cochlear outer hair cell.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Zheng & Weixing Shen & David Z. Z. He & Kevin B. Long & Laird D. Madison & Peter Dallos, 2000. "Prestin is the motor protein of cochlear outer hair cells," Nature, Nature, vol. 405(6783), pages 149-155, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:405:y:2000:i:6783:d:10.1038_35012009
    DOI: 10.1038/35012009
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    Cited by:

    1. Makoto F. Kuwabara & Bassam G. Haddad & Dominik Lenz-Schwab & Julia Hartmann & Piersilvio Longo & Britt-Marie Huckschlag & Anneke Fuß & Annalisa Questino & Thomas K. Berger & Jan-Philipp Machtens & Do, 2023. "Elevator-like movements of prestin mediate outer hair cell electromotility," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Sepehr Dehghani-Ghahnaviyeh & Zhiyu Zhao & Emad Tajkhorshid, 2022. "Lipid-mediated prestin organization in outer hair cell membranes and its implications in sound amplification," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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