The RNA-binding protein TRIM71 is essential for hearing in humans and mice and times auditory sensory organ development

Utilizing conditional Trim71 knockout mice, we find that Trim71 deletion during early otic development causes hearing loss and induces premature cell cycle exit and differentiation of hair cell progenitors. Transcriptomic and genetic experiments reveal that TRIM71 maintains hair cell-progenitors proliferative and undifferentiated through repressing TGF-ß-type signaling. Overall design: Cochlear sensory epithelia were harvested from E13.5 Trim71 knockout mice and their littermate controls. To induce Trim71 deletion, timed pregnant females received dox containing feed starting at E8.5. Total RNA from control and Trim71 KO cochlear epithelia were isolated after 5 days (E13.5) using enzymatic treatment.