Biophysics and Neurobiology of the Cochlea

Our work is focused on understanding the molecular and cellular bases of mammalian hearing. We focus on the functioning and role in the hearing process of the mammalian innovation: outer hair cells. These sensory receptors have motor capabilities and perform as the cochlear amplifier. Our latest work pertains to the study of the motor protein of outer hair cells. We recently cloned the gene Prestin that codes for this molecular motor. When expressed in a heterologous cell system, prestin confers electromotility and nonlinear charge movement. We now study the properties of prestin and the electrophysiology of prestin knockout mice.

e-mail Dr. Dallos
ph: 847.491.3175
fax: 847.467.4327

Selected References:

• Zheng, J., G.G. Du, A. Orem, S. Aguiñaga, L.D. Madison, P. Dallos, The carboxy terminus of prestin influences both motor function and plasma membrane targeting. J. Cell Science. 118: 2987-2996 (2005).

• Cheatham, M.A., Zheng, J., Huynh, K.H., Du, G.G., Zuo, J., Navarrete, E. and Dallos, P. Cochlear function in mice with only one copy of the Prestin gene. J. Physiol. (London) 569.1: 229-241 (2005).

• Deák, L.J. Zheng, S., Aguiñaga, A. Orem, G.G. Du, K. Matsuda, P. Dallos. Effects of cyclic nucleotides on prestin's function. J Physiol. (London) 563.2: 483-496 (2005).

• He, D.Z.Z., S. Jia, P. Dallos. Mechanoelectrical transduction of adult outer hair cells studied in the hemicochlea. Nature. 429: 766-770 (2004).

• Cheatam, M.A., K.H. Huynh, J. Gao, J. Zuo, P. Dallos. Cochlear function in Prestin knockout mice. J. Physiol. (London) 560.3: 821-830 (2004).

• Matsuda, K., J. Zheng, G.G. Du, N. Klöcker, L.D. Madison, P. Dallos. N-linked glycosylation sites of the motor protein prestin: effects on electrophysiological function. J. Neurochem. 89:928-938 (2004).

• Oliver, D., D.Z.Z. He, N. Klöcker, J. Ludwig, U. Schulte, S. Waldegger, J.P. Ruppersberg, P. Dallos, and B. Fakler. Intracellular anions as the voltage-sensor of prestin, the outer hair cell motor protein. Science 292, 2340-2343 (2001). [full text].

• Santos-Sacchi, J., Shen, W., Zheng, J. and Dallos, P. Effects of membrane potential and tension on prestin, the outer hair cell membrane protein. J. Physiol. (London) 531, 661-666 (2001). [full text].

• Zheng, J., W. Shen, D.Z.Z. He, K. Long, L.D. Madison and P. Dallos. Prestin is the motor protein of cochlear outer hair cells. Nature 405, 149-155 (2000). [full text].

• He, D.Z.Z. and P. Dallos. Somatic stiffness of cochlear outer hair cells is voltage dependent. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA 96: 8223-8228 (1999). [full text].

Other Links:

• link to a more detailed research description

• Northwestern University School of Speech

• Northwestern Institute for Neuroscience (NUIN)