Prestin and the cochlear amplifier

In non-mammalian, hair cell-bearing sense organs amplification is associated with mechanoelectric transducer channels in the stereovilli (commonly called stereocilia). Because mammals possess differentiated outer hair cells (OHC), they also benefit from a novel electromotile process, powered by the motor protein, prestin. Here we consider new work pertaining to this protein and its potential role as the mammalian cochlear amplifier.