Uniquely among human senses, hearing is not simply a passive response to stimulation.
Our auditory system is instead enhanced by an active process in cochlear hair cells that …

Cadherins are a superfamily of cell surface glycoproteins whose ectodomains contain
multiple repeats of β-sandwich extracellular cadherin (EC) domains that adopt a similar fold …

Cadherins are Ca2+-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules that play critical roles in
animal morphogenesis. Various cadherin-related molecules have also been identified …

Organisms of all phyla express mechanosensitive ion channels with a wide range of
physiological functions. In recent years, several classes of mechanically gated ion channels …

Sound-induced mechanical stimuli are detected by elaborate mechanosensory transduction
(MT) machinery in highly specialized hair cells of the inner ear. Genetic studies of inherited …

The mechanisms underlying retinal dystrophy in Usher syndrome type I (USH1) remain
unknown because mutant mice lacking any of the USH1 proteins—myosin VIIa, harmonin …

Transporting epithelial cells build apical microvilli to increase membrane surface area and
enhance absorptive capacity. The intestinal brush border provides an elaborate example …

Although the basic principles underlying the function of the peripheral auditory system have
been known for many years, the molecules required for hearing have hitherto remained …

Classical cadherin Ca2+-dependent cell–cell adhesion proteins play key roles in
embryogenesis and in maintaining tissue integrity. Cadherins mediate robust adhesion by …

Hearing and balance use hair cells in the inner ear to transform mechanical stimuli into
electrical signals. Mechanical force from sound waves or head movements is conveyed to …