Alpha and beta thyroid hormone receptor (TR) gene expression during auditory neurogenesis: evidence for TR isoform-specific transcriptional regulation in vivo

Human embryonic nervous system is damaged by the congenital deficiency of iodine, a thyroid hormone component, resulting in sensori-neural deafness. The human beta thyroid hormone receptor gene causes this iodine deficiency in children. The prominent expression of the gene results in permanent deafness by restricting the development of the cochlea.