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Coupling between outer hair cell electromotility and prestin sensor charge depends on voltage operating point
Joseph Santos-Sacchi1, Winston J T Tan2
1Surgery (Otolaryngology), 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Neuroscience, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
Hearing Research
|November 15, 2021
Summary
Outer hair cell prestin
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Molecular Biophysics
- Cellular Physiology
Background:
- Outer hair cell (OHC) function is crucial for hearing.
- Prestin protein mediates OHC electromotility and cochlear amplification.
- Nonlinear capacitance (NLC) measures prestin's voltage-sensor charge movement (dQp/dVm).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the coupling between prestin charge movement (Qp) and electromotility (eM).
- To determine how this coupling varies with voltage and frequency.
- To understand the influence of molecular/cellular loads on prestin function.
Main Methods:
- Directly measured Qp and eM in prestin.
- Utilized AC voltage excitation across prestin's operating voltage range.
- Analyzed frequency response up to 6.25 kHz.
Main Results:
- Qp and eM showed tight correspondence at voltages away from the peak NLC voltage (Vh).
- Near Vh, eM exhibited a slower frequency response than Qp.
- This suggests increased susceptibility to loads at Vh where prestin compliance is maximal.
Conclusions:
- Prestin's charge movement and electromotility coupling are voltage-dependent.
- Molecular/cellular loads significantly impact prestin function near its peak compliance voltage.
- Understanding these dynamics is key for explaining cochlear amplification mechanisms.
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