TRPML3 mutations cause impaired mechano-electrical transduction and depolarization by an inward-rectifier cation current in auditory hair cells of varitint-waddler mice.

TRPML3 (mucolipin-3) belongs to one of the transient-receptor-potential (TRP) ion channel families. Mutations in the Trpml3 gene cause disorganization of the stereociliary hair bundle, structural aberrations in outer and inner hair cells and stria vascularis defects, leading to deafness in the varitint-waddler (Va) mouse. Here we refined the stereociliary localization of TRPML3 and investigated cochlear hair cell function in varitint-waddler (Va(J)) mice carrying the TRPML3 mutations.

TRPML3 and hearing loss in the varitint-waddler mouse.

TRPML3 (also known as mucolipin-3, MCOLN3) belongs to the small family of TRPML ion channel proteins. The mammalian Trpml3 gene encodes a protein of 553 amino acids with short amino and carboxy termini and a transient receptor potential motif spanning from the third to the sixth trans membrane domain. Dominant mutant alleles of Trpml3 cause hearing loss, circling behaviour, pigmentation defects and embryonic lethality in the varitint-waddler (Va) mouse.