Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the GJB2 and GJB6 genes are associated with autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are important markers in many studies that link DNA sequence variations to phenotypic changes; such studies are expected to advance the understanding of human physiology and elucidate the molecular basis of diseases. The DFNB1 locus, which contains the GJB2 and GJB6 genes, plays a key role in nonsyndromic hearing loss. Previous studies have identified important mutations in this locus, but the contribution of SNPs in the genes has not yet been much investigated.