Mutations in the gene encoding otoferlin are known to cause deafness, but the mechanism is unclear. In this issue, Roux et al. (2006) demonstrate that otoferlin interacts with SNARE molecules at the afferent synapses of cochlear inner hair cells to trigger exocytosis of neurotransmitter.

In fish, amphibians, and birds, the loss of hair cells can evoke S-phase entry in supporting cells and the production of new cells that differentiate as replacement hair cells and supporting cells. Recent investigations have shown that supporting cells from mammalian vestibular epithelia will proliferate in limited numbers after hair cells have been killed. Exogenous growth factors such as glia...

The Venus flytrap Dionaea muscipula captures insects and consumes their flesh. Prey contacting touch-sensitive hairs trigger traveling electrical waves. These action potentials (APs) cause rapid closure of the trap and activate secretory functions of glands, which cover its inner surface. Such prey-induced haptoelectric stimulation activates the touch hormone jasmonate (JA) signaling pathway, w...

In the ears of mammals, hair cell loss results in permanent hearing and balance deficits, whereas in fish, amphibians, and birds, the production of replacement hair cells can restore those modalities. In avian ears, continuous exposures to forskolin trigger cell proliferation and the regeneration of hair cells, so we investigated the effect of forskolin on sensory epithelia cultured from the ea...

Introduction Trichotillomania (TTM) is a common psychiatric disorder that presents in both children and adults (Reeve & Keuthen, 1998). Cases have also been reported in children who are toddleraged (Homes & Wright, 2003). TTM is characterized by the presence and subsequent inability to resist an urge to pull one’s own hair, which results in noticeable hair loss. Pulling is often preceded by a s...

Hearing and balance disorders caused by the lossof inner ear hair cells isa.common problem encountered in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. The postembryc:mlc production of hair cells in cold·blooded vertebrates has been known for several decades, and recent studies in the avian inner ear after ototoxic drug and noise damage have demonstrated a remarkable capacity for both anatomic and func...

Background. Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition, in which hair is lost from some areas of the body. Though its etiopathogenesis is not fully understood, there are claims that imbalance of trace elements may trigger the onset of AA, by distorting immune functions. In this study, we tried to investigate the relationship between AA and iron, zinc, and copper levels of serum and hair. M...

Telogen effluvium (TE) is the most common cause of diffuse hair loss in adult females. TE, along with female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and chronic telogen effluvium (CTE), accounts for the majority of diffuse alopecia cases. Abrupt, rapid, generalized shedding of normal club hairs, 2-3 months after a triggering event like parturition, high fever, major surgery, etc. indicates TE, while gradual d...

Mechanically sensitive hair cells of the auditory and vestibular systems use Ca2+ to control adaptation of mechanical transduction, to effect frequency tuning, to trigger neurotransmitter release, and to mediate efferent synaptic signaling. To determine the role that pumps play in regulation of Ca2+ in the hair bundle, the organelle responsible for mechanoelectrical transduction, we localized a...