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Normal Function
The POU3F4 gene provides instructions for making a protein that helps regulate the activity of other genes. Based on this role, the protein is called a transcription factor. The POU3F4 gene is part of a larger family of transcription factor genes called POU domain genes. These genes play a role in determining cell types in the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) during early development. The proteins produced from genes in the POU domain family each include two regions, called the POU-specific domain and POU homeodomain, that bind to the DNA of other genes.
The POU3F4 protein is likely to be involved in the development of the middle and inner ear, and it is also active in certain regions of the brain before birth. Researchers are working to determine which genes are regulated by this protein.
Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
Nonsyndromic hearing loss
Mutations involving the POU3F4 gene cause nonsyndromic hearing loss, which is a loss of hearing that is not associated with other signs and symptoms. Mutations in this gene cause a form of hearing loss designated as DFNX2, sometimes also known as Nance deafness. DFNX2 is the most common type of X-linked nonsyndromic hearing loss, accounting for about half of all cases. X-linked conditions are caused by mutations in genes on the X chromosome, which is one of the two sex chromosomes.
The signs and symptoms of DFNX2 differ in males and females. In males, this form of hearing loss begins before the child learns to speak (prelingual), becomes more severe over time, and usually involves abnormalities of both the inner ear and the middle ear (mixed hearing loss). In the middle ear, one of the small bones (the stapes) cannot move normally, which interferes with hearing. This characteristic sign of DFNX2 is called stapes fixation. During surgery to repair this abnormality, affected males are at high risk of a complication called a perilymphatic gusher, which is a leakage of fluid from the inner ear that can result in a permanent, total loss of hearing. Females with POU3F4 gene mutations tend to be less severely affected, with little or no hearing loss and no apparent middle ear abnormalities. When hearing loss occurs, it usually begins after the child learns to speak (postlingual).
More than 50 POU3F4 gene mutations have been found to cause DFNX2. Many of these genetic changes alter single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the POU3F4 protein or delete part or all of the POU3F4 gene. In some cases, mutations have been found in DNA near the POU3F4 gene. Researchers believe that this DNA may play a role in regulating the POU3F4 gene. Mutations in or near this gene prevent cells from producing any POU3F4 protein or impair regions of the protein that are critical for binding to DNA. A lack of functional POU3F4 protein probably disrupts the normal development of structures in the middle and inner ear, leading to hearing loss.
More About This Health ConditionOther Names for This Gene
- BRAIN-4
- brain-specific homeobox/POU domain protein 4
- Brn-4
- BRN4
- DFN3
- DFNX2
- OTF9
- PO34_HUMAN
Additional Information & Resources
Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry
Scientific Articles on PubMed
Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM
References
- Bademci G, Lasisi A, Yariz KO, Montenegro P, Menendez I, Vinueza R, Paredes R, Moreta G, Subasioglu A, Blanton S, Fitoz S, Incesulu A, Sennaroglu L, Tekin M. Novel domain-specific POU3F4 mutations are associated with X-linked deafness: examples from different populations. BMC Med Genet. 2015 Feb 25;16:9. doi: 10.1186/s12881-015-0149-2. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Bitner-Glindzicz M, Turnpenny P, Hoglund P, Kaariainen H, Sankila EM, van der Maarel SM, de Kok YJ, Ropers HH, Cremers FP, Pembrey M, et al. Further mutations in Brain 4 (POU3F4) clarify the phenotype in the X-linked deafness, DFN3. Hum Mol Genet. 1995 Aug;4(8):1467-9. doi: 10.1093/hmg/4.8.1467. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed
- de Kok YJ, van der Maarel SM, Bitner-Glindzicz M, Huber I, Monaco AP, Malcolm S, Pembrey ME, Ropers HH, Cremers FP. Association between X-linked mixed deafness and mutations in the POU domain gene POU3F4. Science. 1995 Feb 3;267(5198):685-8. doi: 10.1126/science.7839145. Citation on PubMed
- Lee HK, Song MH, Kang M, Lee JT, Kong KA, Choi SJ, Lee KY, Venselaar H, Vriend G, Lee WS, Park HJ, Kwon TK, Bok J, Kim UK. Clinical and molecular characterizations of novel POU3F4 mutations reveal that DFN3 is due to null function of POU3F4 protein. Physiol Genomics. 2009 Nov 6;39(3):195-201. doi: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00100.2009. Epub 2009 Aug 11. Citation on PubMed
- Marlin S, Moizard MP, David A, Chaissang N, Raynaud M, Jonard L, Feldmann D, Loundon N, Denoyelle F, Toutain A. Phenotype and genotype in females with POU3F4 mutations. Clin Genet. 2009 Dec;76(6):558-63. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2009.01215.x. Citation on PubMed
- Parzefall T, Shivatzki S, Lenz DR, Rathkolb B, Ushakov K, Karfunkel D, Shapira Y, Wolf M, Mohr M, Wolf E, Sabrautzki S, de Angelis MH, Frydman M, Brownstein Z, Avraham KB. Cytoplasmic mislocalization of POU3F4 due to novel mutations leads to deafness in humans and mice. Hum Mutat. 2013 Aug;34(8):1102-10. doi: 10.1002/humu.22339. Epub 2013 May 8. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Song MH, Lee KY, Choi JY, Bok J, Kim UK. Nonsyndromic X-linked hearing loss. Front Biosci (Elite Ed). 2012 Jan 1;4(3):924-33. doi: 10.2741/E430. Citation on PubMed
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