Clue to reverse hearing loss found in proteins controlling auditory hair cell growth

Proteins that control auditory hair cells have been found, which may offer clues to reverse hearing loss. An estimated 40 million Americans suffer from hearing loss, which is currently irreversible. The new findings come from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The researchers found a new role for a group of proteins – RFX – in the development and survival of hair cells.

Principle investigator Ronna P. Hertzano, M.D., Ph.D., said, “This discovery opens up new avenues, not only for understanding the genetics of hearing, but also, eventually for treating deafness.”

The research was conducted on mice whose auditory hair cells glow a fluorescent green so researchers could identify cells. Researchers then used next generation sequencing to sequence and quantify genes in the hair cells. As genes became categorized, they looked for key regulators of genes in the hair cells. The key regulator defined was RFX.

Then the researchers had mice where the hair cells lacked RFX and the hair cells grew normally but died quickly, which contributed to hearing loss. Within three months the mice were completely deaf. The researchers believe the genes work similarly in humans. By understanding RFX further it may be possible to treat hearing loss in the future.

The findings were published in Nature Communications.

Source:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10