Deficiency of Klc2 induces Low-Frequency Sensorineural Hearing Loss in C57BL/6J Mice and Human

The transport system in cochlear hair cells (HCs) is important for their function, and the kinesin family of proteins transports numerous cellular cargos via the microtubule network in the cytoplasm. Here, we found that Klc2 (kinesin light chain 2), the light chain of kinesin-1 that mediates cargo binding and regulates kinesin-1 motility, is essential for cochlear function. We generated mice lacking Klc2, and they suffered from low-frequency hearing loss as early as 1 month of age. We demonstrated that deficiency of Klc2 resulted in abnormal transport of mitochondria and the down-regulation of the GABAA receptor family. In addition, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of patient showed that KLC2 was related to low-frequency hearing in human. Hence, to explore therapeutic approaches, we developed adeno-associated virus containing the Klc2 wide-type cDNA sequence, and Klc2-null mice delivered virus showed apparent recovery, including decreased ABR threshold and reduced out hair cell (OHC) loss. In summary, we show that the kinesin transport system plays an indispensable and special role in cochlear HC function in mice and human and that mitochondrial localization is essential for HC survival.