Contents
08 July 2015
Vol 7, Issue 295
Vol 7, Issue 295
Contents
Editorial
- Stopping superbugs, maintaining the microbiota
The U.S. National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria will succeed only if we alter the definition of “antibiotic.”
Focus
- Gene therapy for deafness: How close are we?
Virus-mediated transfer of genes encoding the mechanotransducer channel candidates TMC1 and TMC2 into hair cells of the ear partially restores hearing in animal models of human genetic deafness (Askew et al., this issue).
Research Articles
- Tmc gene therapy restores auditory function in deaf mice
Injection of AAV vectors that encoded wild-type Tmc1 or Tmc2 restores auditory function in mouse models of human deafnesses DFNB7/11 and DFNA36.
- The proinflammatory role of HECTD2 in innate immunity and experimental lung injury
Antagonizing the E3 ligase HECTD2 reduces inflammation severity and experimental lung injury.
Reports
- Absence of sperm RNA elements correlates with idiopathic male infertility
Absence of required RNA elements in sperm correlates with infertility but can be overcome with assisted reproductive technologies.
Editors' Choice
- Alcohol’s BOLD effect on food intake
The hypothalamus may mediate alcohol-induced munchies.
- Untangling the diversity of KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinoma
KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinomas can be organized into three subgroups with different phenotypes.
- Canavan disease: Can two wrongs make a right?
Double-knockout mice that lack both aspartoacylase (ASPA) and NAA synthase (Nat8L) show improved myelination and behavioral recovery, partially circumventing the effects of Canavan disease.
- Battle scars: SAP and CRP
A subtle structural difference between closely related proteins determines their ability to promote or inhibit fibrosis.
- Electronics, freshly squeezed
Flexible mesh nanosensors can be syringe-injected into the brain for multiplexed recording.
Erratum
About The Cover
ONLINE COVER Hear, Hear! Gene therapy may be used to treat genetic hearing loss, as demonstrated in deaf mice by Askew et al. Hearing-impaired mice with mutated or missing transmembrane channel–like 1 (Tmc1) were given adeno-associated viral vectors carrying Tmc1 or its ortholog, Tmc2. Cochlear hair cells (in green, MyosinVIIA) that were successfully transduced with either Tmc were able to express the channel proteins and, in turn, allow sensory transduction and partial hearing restoration in the animals. Phalloidin labeling (in red) identifies filamentous actin structures in hair cells and supporting cells. See the related Focus by Moser. [CREDIT: C. ASKEW/BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL]