Gene Discovery Reveals Critical Protein's Function In Hearing
Friday, August 21, 2009 - 13:14
in Biology & Nature
Discovery of a deafness-causing gene defect in mice has helped identify a new protein that protects sensory cells in the ear, according to a new study. The mutated gene fails to produce normal claudin-9 protein, which, the scientists showed, is needed to maintain the proper distribution of potassium in the inner ear.