Molecular basis of Prestin’s electromotility and sound discrimination

像鲸鱼这样的声纳动物可以听到非常高的频率，从而使它们能够回声定位。然而，人类可以听到比爬行动物和鸟类高得多的频率。频率传感主要依赖于耳朵里一种叫做Prestin的蛋白质。目前，Prestin的结构和作用机制尚不清楚。该项目旨在通过探测使用机械门控通道作为报告器产生的机电力来表征Prestin对高频的反应。单粒子低温电子显微镜也将用于可视化Prestin的三维结构。总之，这个DECRA项目将阐明不同物种之间听力差异的分子基础，重塑我们对听力进化的理解。

Sonar animals like whales can hear at exceptionally high frequencies allowing them to echolocate. Humans, though, can hear at much higher frequencies than reptiles and birds. Frequency sensing mainly depends on a protein in the ear called Prestin. Currently, the structure and working mechanism of Prestin is unknown. This project aims to characterize how Prestin responds to high frequencies by probing the electro-mechanical force generated using mechanically gated channels as a reporter. Single particle cryo-electron microscopy will also be used to visualize Prestin’s 3D structure. Together, this DECRA project will elucidate the molecular basis of hearing differences across species and reshapes our understanding of the evolution of hearing.