( Researchers from University of Iowa and...)Possibility Of Treatment For Permanent Hearing Loss,Health

Researchers from University of Iowa and Okayama University, Japan, have reported a possible cure// for a kind of permanent hearing loss from parallel studies with animals.

The researchers gave a genetically deafened mouse interfering RNA that specifically prevents a gene from being expressed that would otherwise cause deafness. By preventing its expression, they had been able to prevent the deafness. Even at this early stage, the results are important feels the researchers because they point to other options for people who have hearing loss other than hearing aids or cochlear implants.

The gene-silencing technique used by the UI team is called RNA interference (RNAi) and works specifically against genetic conditions caused by a so-called dominant negative mechanism -- when a single copy of the mutant gene is sufficient to cause disease because the protein from the faulty gene has a dominant adverse effect over the protein from the normal gene. Several human forms of inherited deafness, including the one mimicked by the UI mouse model, are caused by a dominant negative mechanism.

To test the gene-silencing technique, the researchers had introduced a mutated gene that causes deafness in humans into the inner ear of mice. This gene acted through a dominant negative mechanism, and the mice had moderate hearing loss. Then they had simultaneously introduced the mutant gene and a short piece of interfering RNA specifically designed to silence the gene. Standard hearing tests, similar to those used on newborn babies, confirmed that the treated mice were able to hear.

The results said that RNA interference was not only successful but also highly specific. Despite the fact that the mouse and the human gene differed by only two nucleotides over the short stretch of gene targeted by the RNAi, the mutant human gene was silenced while the normal mouse gene was unaffected.

With a view to someday moving this therapy to humans
'"/>




Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Possibility of Link Diabetes with Iron
2. The Possibility Of Fighting HIV with Another Virus Questioned
3. New Hair in 15 Days Could Now Be A Possibility Say Researchers
4. Possibility Of Regaining Speech After Tongue, Voice Box Removal
5. Mumbai Alert: Possibility Of An Epidemic Outbreak
6. Limb Regeneration In Humans: A Future Possibility
7. Controversy: Malaria Vaccine - Future Possibility Or Just A Dream?
8. Possibility Of Bird Flu Outbreak In South Africa Ruled Out
9. Possibility Of A Meningococcal Outbreak In NSW
10. Advances in Treatment of Cataracts
11. Recommendations for Treatment of Blood Pressue