Overview:

MYO3alpha belongs to the myosin superfamily which are members of the large myosin superfamily and are categorized into conventional myosins (class II) and unconventional myosins (classes I and III through XV) based on their variable C-terminal cargo-binding domains. Class III myosins, such as MYO3alpha, have a kinase domain N-terminal to the conserved N-terminal motor domains and are expressed in photoreceptors (1). MYO3alpha plays an important role in hearing in humans and mutations in the MYO3alpha have been shown to cause nonsyndromic progressive hearing loss (2). MYO3alpha is highly expreesed in retina and cochlea.

Gene Aliases:

myosin IIIA; DFNB30

Genbank Number:

NM_017433

References:

1. Dose, A. C.et.al: Cloning and chromosomal localization of a human class III myosin. Genomics 67: 333-342, 2000.

2. Walsh, V. L.et.al: A mouse model for human hearing loss DFNB30 due to loss of function of myosin IIIA. Mammalian Genome 22: 170-177, 2011.