
SLITRK6 is a protein that is encoded by the SLITRK6 gene and is predominantly found in the inner ear and the eye. It plays a crucial role in the development of normal hearing and vision in humans and mice. SLITRK6 is also expressed in other organs, including the epidermis, limb bud, cochlea, and tongue of mouse embryos. In the human diet, SLITRK6 is used to understand the impact of its deficiency on the human body, particularly in the development of neuropsychiatric conditions such as obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| SLITRK6 gene location | Chromosome 13 |
| SLITRK6 gene function | Provides instructions for making a protein found primarily in the inner ear and the eye |
| SLITRK6 protein function | Promotes growth and survival of nerve cells (neurons) in the inner ear that transmit sound (auditory) signals; regulates the growth of the eye after birth |
| SLITRK6 protein structure | Contains a 593 aa extracellular domain (ECD) and a 212 aa cytoplasmic region |
| SLITRK6 mutations | Associated with progressive auditory neuropathy, high myopia, and deafness in humans and mice |
| SLITRK6 in the diet | N/A |
What You'll Learn

SLITRK6 is a protein that influences eye and ear development
In the inner ear, SLITRK6 promotes the growth and survival of nerve cells (neurons) that transmit sound (auditory) signals. It also controls the growth of the eye after birth, particularly the length of the eyeball (axial length), which affects whether a person will be nearsighted or farsighted. SLITRK6 is an integral membrane protein with two N-terminal leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains and a C-terminal region that shares homology with neurotrophin receptors.
Mutations in the SLITRK6 gene can cause high myopia (nearsightedness) and deafness in humans and mice. These mutations result in an abnormally short SLITRK6 protein that is not anchored properly to the cell membrane. This disrupts the normal function of the protein, leading to abnormal nerve development in the inner ear and improperly controlled eyeball growth. As a result, individuals with SLITRK6 deficiency may experience hearing loss and severe nearsightedness, also known as deafness and myopia syndrome.
Additionally, SLITRK6 has been implicated in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. It has been shown to modulate neurotrophin signaling and play a trophic role in neurons. SLITRK6 is also expressed in other organs, including the epidermis, limb bud, cochlea, and tongue of mouse embryos, indicating its diverse roles during development.
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Mutations in the SLITRK6 gene cause myopia and deafness
The SLITRK6 gene provides instructions for making a protein that is found primarily in the inner ear and the eye. This protein promotes the growth and survival of nerve cells (neurons) in the inner ear that transmit sound (auditory) signals. It also controls (regulates) the growth of the eye after birth. In particular, the SLITRK6 protein influences the length of the eyeball (axial length), which affects whether a person is nearsighted or farsighted.
Mutations in the SLITRK6 gene can cause a disorder called deafness and myopia syndrome, which results in hearing loss and severe nearsightedness (high myopia). These mutations result in an abnormally short SLITRK6 protein that is not anchored properly to the cell membrane. This can lead to abnormal nerve development in the inner ear and improperly controlled eyeball growth.
In a study, a novel mutation in the SLITRK6 gene was identified in a Moroccan family, resulting in deafness and myopia. The mutation was found to be associated with progressive auditory neuropathy, with affected individuals experiencing a decline in their ability to understand speech over time.
Another study on Amish subjects with a homozygous SLITRK6 nonsense mutation found that adult patients exhibited high myopia and progressive auditory neuropathy. The two oldest patients with this mutation had limited benefit from using hearing aids, as the amplification of sounds could not overcome the underlying auditory neuropathy.
In addition to humans, mutations in the SLITRK6 gene have also been shown to cause myopia and deafness in mice. Mouse models with Slitrk6 deficiency displayed delays in synaptogenesis and exhibited auditory function deficits that mirrored the human phenotype. These findings suggest that SLITRK6 plays a crucial role in the development of normal hearing and vision in both species.
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SLITRK6 is associated with progressive auditory neuropathy
SLITRK6 is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the SLITRK6 gene. SLITRK6 is predominantly found in the inner ear and the eye. This protein promotes the growth and survival of nerve cells (neurons) in the inner ear that transmit sound (auditory) signals. It also regulates the growth of the eye after birth, influencing the length of the eyeball (axial length) and affecting whether a person will be nearsighted or farsighted.
SLITRK6 is a member of the SLITRK family of structurally related transmembrane proteins belonging to the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) superfamily. SLITRK proteins are integral membrane proteins with two N-terminal LRR domains and C-terminal regions that share homology with neurotrophin receptors. They are predominantly expressed in neural tissues and have neurite-modulating activity.
Mutations in the SLITRK6 gene can cause high myopia and deafness in humans and mice. These mutations result in an abnormally short SLITRK6 protein that is not anchored properly to the cell membrane. This leads to abnormal nerve development in the inner ear and improperly controlled eyeball growth, resulting in hearing loss and nearsightedness.
A homozygous SLITRK6 nonsense mutation has been specifically associated with progressive auditory neuropathy in humans. This mutation impairs SLITRK6 protein function, leading to abnormal nerve development in the inner ear. Affected individuals may develop speech and language in their early years without specific intervention, but understanding speech becomes difficult by adulthood. The use of hearing aids and cochlear implants may provide some benefit, but the amplification of sounds may not be sufficient to overcome the auditory neuropathy.
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SLITRK6 is found in the central nervous system
SLITRK6 is a protein that is encoded by the SLITRK6 gene in humans. It is a member of the SLITRK family, which are integral membrane proteins with two N-terminal leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains. SLITRK6 is predominantly expressed in neural tissues and has been found to play a crucial role in the central nervous system (CNS).
SLITRK6 is highly expressed in the CNS and has been shown to modulate neurotrophin signalling. It is involved in mediating basic neuronal processes such as neurite outgrowth and dendritic elaboration, as well as neuronal survival. In mice, SLITRK6 plays a role in the survival and innervation of sensory neurons in the inner ear, vestibular apparatus, and retina. It also influences axial eye length, which affects whether a person is nearsighted or farsighted.
Mutations in the SLITRK6 gene can cause abnormal nerve development in the inner ear and improper control of eyeball growth, resulting in hearing loss and nearsightedness or myopia. These mutations lead to an abnormally short SLITRK6 protein that is not anchored properly to the cell membrane. This disruption can cause a syndrome characterised by severe myopia and deafness, known as deafness and myopia syndrome.
Recent studies have also identified SLITRK6 as a candidate gene that may be involved in the development of neuropsychiatric conditions such as obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. While SLITRK6 has been shown to play a role in CNS development, further research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms through which it mediates neuronal signalling and connectivity.
In summary, SLITRK6 is a protein found in the central nervous system that plays a crucial role in nerve development and function, with mutations leading to various disorders and syndromes.
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SLITRK6 is a target for the antibody-drug ASG-15ME
SLITRK6 is a member of the SLITRK family of neuronal transmembrane proteins. It was discovered as a bladder tumour antigen using suppressive subtractive hybridization. SLITRK6 is expressed in multiple epithelial tumours, including bladder, lung, and breast cancer, as well as glioblastoma.
Extensive immunohistochemistry has been performed to explore the possibility of using SLITRK6 as a target for an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). This led to the development of a panel of fully human mAbs specific for SLITRK6. The most potent ADC, ASG-15ME, was selected as the development candidate and given the product name AGS15E. ASG-15ME is composed of a SLITRK6-specific human gamma 2 antibody (Igγ2) conjugated to MMAE via a protease-cleavable linker.
ASG-15ME is currently in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer. This is the first report of SLITRK6 as a novel antigen in bladder cancer and the first report of ASG-15ME's development for the treatment of metastatic bladder cancer. The drug has shown potent in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic activity after conjugation to Monomethyl Auristatin E or Monomethyl Auristatin F.
SLITRK6 is also known to play a role in hearing and vision. Mutations in the SLITRK6 gene can cause progressive auditory neuropathy, leading to high myopia and deafness in humans and mice. The protein is found primarily in the inner ear and eye, where it promotes the growth and survival of nerve cells and regulates eyeball growth.
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Frequently asked questions
SLITRK6 is a protein that is encoded by the SLITRK6 gene. It is predominantly found in the inner ear and the eye.
SLITRK6 promotes the growth and survival of nerve cells (neurons) in the inner ear that transmit sound (auditory) signals. It also regulates the growth of the eye after birth, influencing the length of the eyeball (axial length) and determining whether a person will be nearsighted or farsighted.
Mutations or deficiencies in the SLITRK6 gene can lead to abnormal nerve development in the inner ear and improperly controlled eyeball growth. This can result in hearing loss and severe nearsightedness (high myopia), a condition known as deafness and myopia syndrome.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common human eye disorder with a known genetic component. SLITRK6 mutations have been identified as one of the causes of high myopia, along with sensorineural deafness.
While there is currently no cure for SLITRK6-related disorders, early detection and intervention can improve long-term outcomes. For example, in the case of hearing loss, early detection can lead to better speech and language outcomes through interventions such as cochlear implants, speech therapy, and lip-reading training.

