Full name: tectorin alpha

Gene type: protein coding

RefSeq status: REVIEWED

Also known as: DFNA12; DFNA8; DFNB21

Summary: The tectorial membrane is an extracellular matrix of the inner ear that contacts the stereocilia bundles of specialized sensory hair cells. Sound induces movement of these hair cells relative to the tectorial membrane, deflects the stereocilia, and leads to fluctuations in hair-cell membrane potential, transducing sound into electrical signals. Alpha-tectorin is one of the major noncollagenous components of the tectorial membrane. Mutations in the TECTA gene have been shown to be responsible for autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing impairment and a recessive form of sensorineural pre-lingual non-syndromic deafness. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Expression: Broad expression in brain (RPKM 1.1), testis (RPKM 0.6) and 24 other tissues

Gene size: 90248bp

Exon count: 24