Prestin's structural cycle and the molecular basis of electromotility in outer hair cells

In mammals, auditory sound detection relies on a mechanical amplification process to achieve its remarkable sensitivity and frequency selectivity. This “cochlear amplifier” depends on one of two types of sensory receptor cell in the cochlea, the outer hair cells (OHC). OHCs undergo voltage-dependent longitudinal contractions or elongations at their basolateral membrane, triggered by the concerted action of millions of the fast “motor” protein Prestin (SLC26A5), the only piezoelectric member of the SLC26 family of anion transporter.