CLONING GENES FROM AN INNER-EAR CDNA LIBRARY

A rat inner ear complementary DNA (cDNA) library containing 1.9 X 10(6 ) recombinants was constructed and evaluated. Inserts averaged 2.0 (+/ - 2.1) kilobases in length. A subset of inserts was screened for site of expression. Two cDNA transcripts were isolated based on cochlear ex pression restricted to the spiral ganglion. One transcript showed a hi gh degree of homology to several long interspersed DNA elements, neuro n-specific nuclear transcripts thought to be involved in gene regulati on. The second transcript showed no homology to known sequences and ap pears to encode a neuron-specific protein of about 248 amino acids. Th e library can be used to identify proteins important for inner ear fun ction and disease.