Our research focuses on the identification and characterization of genes critical for structure and function of sensory hair cells in the cochlea and vestibule. Spontaneous mutations that cause balance dysfunction and hearing loss are ideal tools to identify genes important for the functioning of the inner ear and to elucidate their role in these sensory systems. Towards this end we concentrate our efforts on three deafness mutations: jackson circler (jc), ahl5, and Varitint-waddler (Va). ? Previous high-resulution genetic and physical mapping of varitint-waddler identified two new members of the mucolipin gene familiy Trpml2 and Trpml3 (also known as Mcoln2 and Mcoln3, respectively) in the critical interval. We found missense mutations in Trpml3 which are responsible for deafness and pigmentaton defects in Va. Trpml3 shows sequence and motif similarities to the transient-receptor-potential (TRP) family of ion channels. Trpml3 localizes to cytoplasmic compartments and stereocilia of outer and inner hair cells in the organ of Corti. Based upon its motif structure and expression domain, we suggest that Trpml3 is involved in the regulation of ion homeostasis in hair cells and melanocyte. These studies identified a new molecular link between deafness and pigmentation defects. Finally, Trpml2 and Trpml3 are candidate genes for hereditary and/or sporadic forms of neurosensory disorders. To gain insights into the function of Trpml3 we refined the stereociliary localization of Trpml3 and investigated cochlear hair cell function in varitint-waddler mutant mice. Using the Trpml3-specific HL4460 antibody we found a 64 kDa protein with equal expression levels in cochlea and vestibule in wildtype and VaJ mutants. By immunofluoresence on whole-mount organ of Corti preparations, we detected Trpml3 in abundance near the base of developing stereocilia, coinciding with the position of ankle links. Trpml3 localization is tightly regulated during the postnatal period and no longer detectable at postnatal day 10. Electrophyiological recordings in collaboration with Dr. Corne Kros and Dr. Guy Richardson, University of Sussex, revealed reduced mechano-electrical transducer currents in hair cells isolated from VaJ/+ and VaJ/VaJ mice. In addition, hair cells from VaJ mutant mice exhibited a constitutive inward rectifying Ca2+ current. Furthermore, FM1-43 uptake and 3H-gentamicin accumulation were decreased in hair cells in cultured organs of Corti isolated from varitint-waddler mice. Together, our data suggest a critical role of Trpml3 at the ankle link region during the growth of the stereociliary hair bundle perhaps by regulating the ionic microenvironment around Ca2+-sensitive interstereociliary cross links. Hearing loss in VaJ heterozygotes is likely the result of an inhibitory adverse effect of mutant Trpml3
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