Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a global health hazard with considerable pathophysiological and social consequences that has no effective treatment. In the heart, lung and other organs, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) facilitates protective processes in response to traumatic events. We therefore analyzed NIHL in mice with a genetic deletion of the gene encoding cGMP-dependent protein kinase type I (Prkg1) and found a greater vulnerability to and markedly less recovery from NIHL in these mice as compared to mice without the deletion. Prkg1 was expressed in the sensory cells and neurons of the inner ear of wild-type mice, and its expression partly overlapped with the expression profile of cGMP-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterase 5 (Pde5). Treatment of rats and wild-type mice with the Pde5 inhibitor vardenafil almost completely prevented NIHL and caused a Prkg1-dependent upregulation of poly (ADP-ribose) in hair cells and the spiral ganglion, suggesting an endogenous protective cGMP-Prkg1 signaling pathway that culminates in the activation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. These data suggest vardenafil or related drugs as possible candidates for the treatment of NIHL.

The energy‐sensing AMP‐activated serine/threonine protein kinase (AMPK) confers cell survival in part by stimulation of cellular energy production and limitation of cellular energy utilization. AMPK‐sensitive functions further include activities of epithelial Na+ channel ENaC and voltage‐gated K+ channel KCNE1/KCNQ1. AMPK is activated by an increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. The present study explored whether AMPK regulates the Ca2+‐sensitive large conductance and voltage‐gated potassium (BK) channel. cRNA encoding BK channel was injected into Xenopus oocytes with and without additional injection of wild‐type AMPK (AMPKα1+AMPKβ1+AMPKγ1), constitutively active AMPKγR70Q, or inactive AMPKαK45R. BK‐channel activity was determined utilizing the 2‐electrode voltage‐clamp. Moreover, BK‐channel protein abundance in the cell membrane was determined by confocal immunomicroscopy. As BK channels are expressed in outer hair cells (OHC) of the inner ear and lack of BK channels increases noise vulnerability, OHC BK‐channel expression was examined by immunohistochemistry and hearing function analyzed by auditory brain stem response measurements in AMPKα1‐deficient mice (ampk–/–) and in wild‐type mice (ampk+/+). As a result, coexpression of AMPK or AMPKγR70Q but not of AMPKαK45R significantly enhanced BK‐channel‐mediated currents and BK‐channel protein abundance in the oocyte cell membrane. BK‐channel expression in the inner ear was lower in ampk–/– mice than in ampk+/+ mice. The hearing thresholds prior to and immediately after an acoustic overexposure were similar in ampk–/– and ampk+/+ mice. However, the recovery from the acoustic trauma was significantly impaired in ampk–/–mice compared to ampk+/+ mice. In summary, AMPK is a potent regulator of BK channels. It may thus participate in the signaling cascades that protect the inner ear from damage following acoustic overstimulation.—Föller, M., Jaumann, M., Dettling, J., Saxena, A., Pakladok, T., Munoz, C., Ruth, P., Sopjani, M., Seebohm, G., Rüttiger, L., Knipper, M., Lang, F. AMP‐activated protein kinase in BK‐channel regulation and protection against hearing loss following acoustic overstimulation. FASEB J. 26, 4243–4253 (2012). http://www.fasebj.org

Thyroid hormone acts on gene transcription by binding to its nuclear receptors TRα1 and TRβ. Whereas global deletion of TRβ causes deafness, global TRα-deficient mice have normal hearing thresholds. Since the individual roles of the two receptors in cochlear hair cells are still unclear, we generated mice with a hair cell-specific mutation of TRα1 or deletion of TRβ using the Cre-loxP system. Hair cell-specific TRβ mutant mice showed normal hearing thresholds but delayed BK channel expression in inner hair cells, slightly stronger outer hair cell function, and slightly reduced amplitudes of auditory brainstem responses. In contrast, hair cell-specific TRα mutant mice showed normal timing of BK channel expression, slightly reduced outer hair cell function, and slightly enhanced amplitudes of auditory brainstem responses. Our data demonstrate that TRβ-related deafness originates outside of hair cells and that TRα and TRβ play opposing, non-redundant roles in hair cells. A role for thyroid hormone receptors in controlling key regulators that shape signal transduction during development is discussed. Thyroid hormone may act through different thyroid hormone receptor activities to permanently alter the sensitivity of auditory neurotransmission.

The motor protein, prestin, situated in the basolateral plasma membrane of cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs), underlies the generation of somatic, voltage-driven mechanical force, the basis for the exquisite sensitivity, frequency selectivity and dynamic range of mammalian hearing. The molecular and structural basis of the ontogenetic development of this electromechanical force has remained elusive. The present study demonstrates that this force is significantly reduced when the immature subcellular distribution of prestin found along the entire plasma membrane persists into maturity, as has been described in previous studies under hypothyroidism. This observation suggests that cochlear amplification is critically dependent on the surface expression and distribution of prestin. Searching for proteins involved in organizing the subcellular localization of prestin to the basolateral plasma membrane, we identified cochlear expression of a novel truncated prestin splice isoform named prestin 9b (Slc26A5d) that contains a putative PDZ domain-binding motif. Using prestin 9b as the bait in a yeast two-hybrid assay, we identified a calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) as an interaction partner of prestin. Co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that CASK and prestin 9b can interact with full-length prestin. CASK was co-localized with prestin in a membrane domain where prestin-expressing OHC membrane abuts prestin-free OHC membrane, but was absent from this area for thyroid hormone deficiency. These findings suggest that CASK and the truncated prestin splice isoform contribute to confinement of prestin to the basolateral region of the plasma membrane. By means of such an interaction, the basal junction region between the OHC and its Deiter's cell may contribute to efficient generation of somatic electromechanical force.