Novel approach to select genes from RMA normalized microarray data using functional hearing tests in aging mice.

Presbycusis age-related hearing loss is the number one communicative disorder of our aged population. Here we analyzed gene expression for a set of GABA receptors in the cochlea of aging CBA mice using the Affymetrix GeneChip MOE430A. Functional phenotypic hearing measures distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitudes (four age groups) were made. The gene expression changes from RMA normalized microarray data (40 replicates) were first subjected to one-way ANOVA, and then linear regression was performed. In addition, the log signal ratio was converted to fold change, and selected gene expression changes were confirmed by relative real-time PCR. Major findings: expression of GABA-A receptor subunit 6was upregulated with age and hearing loss, whereas subunit 1 was repressed. In addition, GABA-A receptor associated protein like-1 and GABA-A receptor associated protein like-2 were strongly downregulated with age and hearing impairment. Lastly, gene expression measures were correlated with pathway/network relationships relevant to the inner ear using Pathway Architect, to identify key pathways consistent with the gene expression changes observed.

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D'Souza M, Zhu X, Frisina RD