Novel Balance Gene Identified

Researchers have identified a gene, which they call otopetrin 1, that plays a key role in the embryonic development of otoconia, biominerals within the utricle and saccule of the inner ear that are critical for the perception of gravity and linear acceleration. Their findings were published March 24, 2003, in the online edition of Human Molecular Genetics.

Previous research has shown that otoconia are only produced during development, and that they progressively degrade throughout life. How otoconia develop and whether it may be possible to stimulate the production or regeneration of these particles are not well understood.

In the current study, researchers from Washington University (St. Louis, MO, USA; www.wustl.edu) located the same mutation in two different lines of mice, tilted (tlt) and mergulhador (mlh), which were known to have balance problems. Both strains lack otoconia but have normal sensory hair cells. The researchers named the mutated gene otopetrin 1.

"It is possible that this is one of the genes that shuts down after development,” explained senior author Dr. David Ornitz, professor of molecular biology and pharmacology at the Washington University School of Medicine. "It also is possible that it is involved in a variety of vestibular disorders. If we can find a way to reactivate this gene, we may be able to help otoconia regenerate and thereby treat or prevent balance disorders.”



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