MYH14

MYH14 is the gene that encodes the non-muscle myosin heavy chain IIC (NMHC II-C), a member of the myosin II family of motor proteins. The protein is a large ATPase that, together with light chains, forms a hexameric motor complex capable of converting ATP hydrolysis into mechanical work along actin filaments.

As part of the non-muscle myosin II family, NMHC II-C participates in a variety of cellular processes that require actin-driven contractility. These include cytokinesis, cell polarity, migration, and maintenance of cell shape. In multicellular tissues, NMHC II-C works alongside other myosin II isoforms to regulate cytoskeletal organization and tissue architecture.

Expression patterns of MYH14 are broad, with detectable levels in many tissues and particular prominence in cells and regions requiring dynamic cytoskeletal remodeling, such as certain neural and sensory tissues. In the inner ear, NMHC II-C has been implicated in the function of hair cells, which rely on precise cytoskeletal mechanics for sound transduction.

Clinical significance of MYH14 variants has been demonstrated in hereditary hearing loss. Pathogenic mutations in MYH14 have been associated with autosomal dominant nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss in several families, often with progressive or variable penetrance. Ongoing research aims to clarify the range of phenotypes attributable to MYH14 mutations, assess modifier effects, and understand the exact mechanisms by which altered NMHC II-C activity affects auditory biology.

In summary, MYH14 encodes a key cytoskeletal motor protein involved in cellular contractility and organization, with established relevance to auditory function and inherited hearing impairment.