NOMPC ion channel hinge forms a gating spring that initiates mechanosensation.

The sensation of mechanical stimuli is initiated by elastic gating springs that pull open mechanosensory transduction channels. Searches for gating springs have focused on force-conveying protein tethers such as the amino-terminal ankyrin tether of the Drosophila mechanosensory transduction channel NOMPC. Here, by combining protein domain duplications with mechanical measurements, electrophysiology, molecular dynamics simulations and modeling, we identify the NOMPC gating-spring as the short linker between the ankyrin tether and the channel gate.

Stress granules formation in HEI-OC1 auditory cells and in H4 human neuroglioma cells secondary to cisplatin exposure.

Stress granules (SGs) are highly dynamic micromolecular membraneless condensates that generate in cells subjected to stress. Formed from pools of untranslating messenger ribonucleoproteins (RNP), SGs dynamics constitute vital processes essential for cell survival. Here, we investigate whether established cytotoxic agents, such as the platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin and the aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin, elicit SG formation in the House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti-1 (HEI-OC1) auditory cell line, H4 human neuroglioma cells and HEK-293T human embryonic kidney cells.

Safety and efficacy of the mAXIS stapes prosthesis.

Purpose: Otosclerosis leads to a fixed stapes footplate and thus to hearing loss. The predominant treatment method is surgery, with various types of stapes prostheses available. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the new mAXIS Stapes Prosthesis.