2023
Cx26 heterozygous mutations cause hyperacusis-like hearing oversensitivity and increase susceptibility to noise
Liu L, Liang C, Chen J, Fang S, Zhao H. Cx26 heterozygous mutations cause hyperacusis-like hearing oversensitivity and increase susceptibility to noise. Science Advances 2023, 9: eadf4144. PMID: 36753545, PMCID: PMC9908021, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf4144.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsActive cochlear amplificationCochlear amplificationHeterozygous mutationsPermanent hearing threshold shiftHearing threshold shiftCochlear lateral wallNonsyndromic hearing lossHearing lossMouse modelGeneral populationNoise exposureThreshold shiftHeterozygote carriersHearing sensitivityLateral wallJunction genesGap junction genesPotential generationUnexpected findingExposureMutationsOversensitivityProtein prestinDeafness
2017
A deafness mechanism of digenic Cx26 (GJB2) and Cx30 (GJB6) mutations: Reduction of endocochlear potential by impairment of heterogeneous gap junctional function in the cochlear lateral wall
Mei L, Chen J, Zong L, Zhu Y, Liang C, Jones R, Zhao H. A deafness mechanism of digenic Cx26 (GJB2) and Cx30 (GJB6) mutations: Reduction of endocochlear potential by impairment of heterogeneous gap junctional function in the cochlear lateral wall. Neurobiology Of Disease 2017, 108: 195-203. PMID: 28823936, PMCID: PMC5675824, DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.08.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCochlear lateral wallEndocochlear potentialHearing lossGap junctional functionDeafness mechanismLateral wallHeterozygous miceCx30 mutationsHair cell degenerationHomozygous knockout miceJunctional functionHeterozygous mouse modelGap junctionsOrgan of CortiSame gap junctional plaquesEP reductionFrequent causePathological changesMouse modelKnockout miceReceptor currentsCell degenerationNormal hearingHeterozygous mutationsMice
2016
Gap junction mediated miRNA intercellular transfer and gene regulation: A novel mechanism for intercellular genetic communication
Zong L, Zhu Y, Liang R, Zhao H. Gap junction mediated miRNA intercellular transfer and gene regulation: A novel mechanism for intercellular genetic communication. Scientific Reports 2016, 6: 19884. PMID: 26814383, PMCID: PMC4728487, DOI: 10.1038/srep19884.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenetic communicationGap junction channelsGene regulationGene expressionIntercellular transferJunction channelsSmall regulatory RNAsNovel mechanismSpecific cell typesPassage of ionsRegulatory RNAsCellular processesOrgan developmentConnexin mutationsDifferent miRNAsRecipient cellsMiRNAsCell typesNeighboring cellsCell proliferationConnexin expressionImportant roleMiRNA levelsGap junctionsCell lines
2006
Gap Junctions and Cochlear Homeostasis
Zhao H, Kikuchi T, Ngezahayo A, White T. Gap Junctions and Cochlear Homeostasis. The Journal Of Membrane Biology 2006, 209: 177. PMID: 16773501, PMCID: PMC1609193, DOI: 10.1007/s00232-005-0832-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGap junction systemConnexin mutationsHuman deafnessConnective tissue cell gap junction systemEpithelial cell gap junction systemGap junctionsMammalian inner earNon-sensory cellsGap junction networkGap junction functionConnexin genesTransduction processesDifferent connexinsFunctional studiesMutant channelsHereditary deafnessJunction functionSensory cellsCochlear homeostasisMutationsRecycling mechanismCritical roleConnexinsHigh incidenceAnimal models