Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40045370›Full record

ArticleCell communication and signaling : CCS2025

Impact of POU3F4 mutation on cochlear development and auditory function.

Jiong Dang, Panpan Bian, Chao Chen, Chi Chen, Wenqi Shan, Luhang Cai, Yong Li, Huan Tan, Baicheng Xu, Minxin Guan and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cell communication and signaling : CCS, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Jiong Dang *Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, No. 82 Cuiyingmen, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, PR China.
Panpan Bian *Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, No. 82 Cuiyingmen, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, PR China.
Chao Chen *Center for Mitochondrial Biomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China.
Chi ChenDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, No. 82 Cuiyingmen, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, PR China.
Wenqi ShanCenter for Mitochondrial Biomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China.
Luhang CaiCenter for Mitochondrial Biomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China.
Yong LiDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, No. 82 Cuiyingmen, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, PR China.
Huan TanDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, No. 82 Cuiyingmen, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, PR China.
Baicheng Xu *Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, No. 82 Cuiyingmen, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, PR China. xbsuc@126.com.
Minxin Guan *Center for Mitochondrial Biomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China. gminxin88@zju.edu.cn.
Yufen Guo *Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, No. 82 Cuiyingmen, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, PR China. guoyflz@163.com.

Funding

Clinical Medical Center Construction Project of Gansu Province 21JR7RA434National Natural Science Foundation of China 32160149National Natural Science Foundation of China 82160214the Cuiying Scientifc and Technological Innovation Program of Lanzhou University Second Hospital CY2023-MS-B08
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHearing loss, a major public health issue, affects 1.33 per 1,000 live births worldwide. Genetic factors contribute to over half of congenital cases, with X-linked inheritance accounting for 1-5%. POU3F4 mutations are associated with approximately 50% of X-linked non-syndrome hearing loss cases. POU3F4 plays a critical role in cochlear development by regulating otic mesenchyme cell differentiation. The study investigates the impact of a novel POU3F4 p.E294G mutation on cochlear structure and function using cellular and animal model.

methodsThe study utilized immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines, POU3F4 overexpressed HEK293 cells and generated Pou3f4 knock-in (Pou3f4KI) mice via CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce the p.E294G mutation. Alterations in expression and subcellular localization of POU3F4 were detected at the cellular level. Auditory function was assessed using auditory brainstem response testing. Cochlear structure was analyzed through histology, immunohistochemistry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. RNA sequencing, qPCR and Western blot were conducted to evaluate gene expression and mitochondrial function.

resultsThe transcription of POU3F4 was abnormal and the expression was normal in lymphoblastoid cell lines. Abnormal nuclear localization of POU3F4 p.E294G was found in overexpressed HEK293 cells. Pou3f4KI mice exhibited cochlear malformations, including modiolus hypoplasia and reduced stria vascularis cell populations. Auditory testing revealed progressive hearing loss. Pou3f4 affect mitochondrial protein expression by affecting the expression of TFAM. Mitochondrial dysfunction was evident, with reduced oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complex assembly and activity, decreased ATP levels. The level of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial fission and apoptosis in cochlea were elevated.

conclusionsThe POU3F4 p.E294G resulted in abnormal nuclear localization. Pou3f4 mutant disrupts cochlear development and function, impairs mitochondrial integrity, induces oxidative stress, and promotes apoptosis, leading to progressive hearing loss. The findings enhance the understanding of POU3F4-related hearing loss mechanisms and highlight the importance of early genetic screening and audiological monitoring.

Indexed as

CochleaMutationPOU Domain FactorsAnimalsHEK293 CellsHumansMiceMitochondriaNerve Tissue ProteinsNerve Tissue ProteinsPOU3F4 protein, humanPou3f4 protein, mousePOU Domain FactorsApoptosisCochlear developmentCochlear malformationsHearing lossMitochondrial dysfunctionOxidative phosphorylationPOU3F4

Identifiers

PMID40045370
PMCPMC11884022

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.