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      Prestin is the motor protein of cochlear outer hair cells.

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          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.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          Nature
          Nature
          Springer Science and Business Media LLC
          0028-0836
          0028-0836
          May 11 2000
          : 405
          : 6783
          Affiliations
          [1 ] The Hugh Knowles Center, Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
          Article
          10.1038/35012009
          10821263
          78fa46a9-115d-4e1c-8960-e4d07a1ee301
          History

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