EFR3 Homolog A (EFR3A)

Efr3a was differentially expressed in the auditory brainstem of mice with hearing deficit compared with control mice. In control mice, Efr3a mRNA was enriched in large neurons surrounding the lateral superior olive (LSO), with only trace expression in small neurons of the LSO core. In contrast, mice subjected to malleus removal or cochlear ablation showed decreased expression of Efr3a mRNA in large neurons surrounding the LSO and increased expression in small LSO core neurons.The deduced 819-amino acid protein contains 4 putative transmembrane domains and potential sites for phosphorylation and N-glycosylation. Fluorescence-tagged Efr3a was expressed on the cell membrane and in some intracellular elements in transfected COS-1 cells.