The chromatin remodelling factor Chd7 protects auditory neurons and sensory hair cells from stress-induced degeneration

Abstract

To improve our understanding of the mechanisms that protect hair cells in the ear from stress-induced death, Ahmed et al delete the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 7 (CHD7) in auditory neurons and hair cells in mice. They observe sensorineural hearing loss and demonstrate that CHD7 controls the expression of stress pathway components, which could help to explain how CHD7 haploinsufficiency causes changes in the ear associated with CHARGE syndrome.